Release of the 2020 Black Quail Pinot Noir – With another truffle season behind them, they’re no longer releasing truffle-dog Nico to hunt amongst the hazelnuts. Now they can focus their efforts on releasing something else they’re just as proud of… the much-awaited 2020 Black Quail Estate Pinot Noir!
The multi-award-winning winemaker Jen Parr has followed up on the critically acclaimed 2019 with another show-stopping pinot. As with all of Black Quail’s more recent vintages, this exclusive, small volume wine was sourced only from select rows of their family vineyard on Felton Road.
Jen labels 2020 a memorable vintage, noting:
“A deep ruby hue resulting from a cool growing season with low yields, suggesting great concentration and freshness even after three years in bottle. A heady perfume jumps out of the glass with lifted spice coming from the whole clusters used in the fermentation. Aromas of wild thyme, lilac, blueberry, blackberry and ripe cherry on the nose with the palate adding more dark berry and cedar. The oak is perfectly integrated, adding architecture to the wine without toasty flavours. The palate is intense and cohesive with silky tannins and refined concentration. This Pinot Noir has a serious core with an elegant intensity and salivating acidity that suggests it should be worthy of cellaring…”.
It’s not only the wine maker but this vintage has already been a big hit with all of the connoisseurs who have had a sneak peek: 95 pts from Cam Douglas, ????? from Michael Cooper Wines and 94pts from Bob Campbell at The Real Review just to name a few. All tend to agree that it is drinking exceptionally well now, although the more patient amongst you will be rewarded even further by cellaring until 2030 and beyond.
The Keillor family purchased the 20 hectares that make up the Black Quail Estate in 1999. They believe that is the symbiosis of the land with it’s history, challenges and all it can produce, married with the talents, character and history of the Keillors themselves. They want the Black Quail Estate to be a place where you will always experience the vibrancy, warmth and inspiration brought about by that unique synthesis.?
The land the vineyard sits on played an integral part in the Otago Gold Rush in the mid-1800’s. By the thousands, new settlers from around the world arrived to search for their fortunes in the hills and rivers surrounding the estate.