For those who like their Pinot Noir to be long, savoury and lean, with oodles of fruit to wax lyrical about. A collation of harvests from the Sexton and Tarraford vineyards, with contributions from a fraternity of superior local growers. The uncrushed grapes are wild yeast fermented and treated to a light carbonic maceration in the manner of a Beaujolais, achieving a vigorously fruit driven Pinot Noir with crisp acids and stirring aromas. Enjoy alongside both versions of rare breast or crisp skinned duck, the perfect match to tapas and Al fresco faire.
Innocent Bystander seek Pinot Noir grapes with perfect ripeness and sugar balance. Vineyards are selected for their high diurnal temperature range, to achieve wines with high natural acidity and low pH. All grapes are hand picked, a large portion of the fruit is included as whole bunches, uncrushed and unstemmed into open top fermenters. A term of cold soak at lower temperatures is followed by inoculation, mainly through the action of wild, indigenous yeasts. Variations of pigeage and remontage are applied. The major part is treated to malolactic and several months in French oak barriques to enhance complexity while infusing mouthfeel and texture.
Medium purple hues. Nose of dark cocoa and poached cherry, hints of truffle oil and tobacco leaves, wet earth and berries of the forest. Ripe cherry and mixed fruit compotes, bramble with a hint of tar and seasoned grilled meats. A round fresh palate showing rhubarb and radicchio over the twang of chalky tannins before a slippery, rich and slightly tart finish.