Circe Hillcrest Rd Pinot Noir 2022 (6x 750mL).

Circe is a partnership inspired by growing up on the Mornington Peninsula and a love of Pinot Noir.Dan Buckle and Aaron Drummond met at Mount Langi Ghiran in 2007. After a vintage of Shiraz it was inevitable that the conversation would turn to any other varietal except Shiraz. With both of us growing up on the Mornington Peninsula, we were keen and curious as to what we could do with Pinot Noir from such great soil.

The name Circe derives from Homer and is a nice metaphor for the seductions – and perils – of Pinot Noir. Dan studied arts at university before realising it wouldn’t help him get a job. He then went on to oenology. At least his studies of the classics helped us develop a name. Good for something I guess?

Circe Hillcrest Road Vineyard Pinot Noir

3 acre Single Vineyard planted in 1993 on an elevated north east ridge in Red Hill South. Deep red basalt volcanic soils. A cold site.Cropped at just over 1.2 tonnes per acre, the Hillcrest Road vineyard gives us perfectly formed Pinot noir fruit. The tight, small bunch structure, ripe fruit flavours and mature skin composition, in good years are ideal for traditional whole bunch winemaking. Grapes were harvested at around 12.5 Baume with perfect natural acidity, fermented in one lot 100% whole bunches (no de-stemming). The Pinot noir was allowed to sit as whole bunches for 7 days prior to gentle foot stomping, with increasing stomping vigour over six days. After pressing the wine was transferred to small French barriques for mlf. The barrels were left untouched on full lees without racking for twelve months before bottling.