THE HERD | Pinot Noir | 2023

The nose shows Black Doris plum, dark cherry, and subtle thyme, supported by well-integrated oak spice.

The palate is defined by a core of plum and tart cherry, layered with toasty spice and mineral undertones. Firm tannins and vibrant acidity create tension and drive, balanced by fruit concentration and elegance. The wine finishes long and savoury, with lingering tannins and a touch of salinity.

The Herd block sits on a steep, north-east-facing clay hillside of Auntsfield vineyard. Two Pinot Noir clones, 777 and Abel, are planted side by side and split evenly between three collaborative winemakers from Auntsfield, Sorrell Wines and The Marlborist. In the 2022/23 season, Matt, Dan and Roberta performed meticulous vineyard work to control disease risk and achieve ultralow yields. Canopy management included perfectly timed shoot thinning, hand leaf plucking and bunch thinning to achieve balance and dappled fruit exposure to sunlight. Vines carried no more than one bunch per shoot, amplifying site expression. Fruit was handharvested in pristine condition on 23 March 2023 for clone 777 and 31 March for clone Abel.