De La Terre Pinot Noir 2024

De La Terre Pinot Noir is made from a 1.78-acre vineyard block, planted in 2007. The clone is predominantly 777 but includes a portion of 114. The vine spacing is 1m and the row spacing is 1.2m (8,333 vines/hectare), and the block is made up of two sections: the top flat section, which has north-south row orientation, and the east slope, which has an east-west orientation. The soils are dark clay over weathered basalt and limestone.

The fruit was handpicked, completely destemmed, and fermented on skins for 10 days before pressing to French oak hogshead barrels, 25% of which were new. The wine was left undisturbed, went through malolactic fermentation in spring, and was blended and bottled in February.

De La Terre is lifted and savoury, showing bramble, red berries, and garrigue on the nose. The palate carries through with cherry cola, spice and a ferrous edge—lighter and finer in structure than Serré, but with serious intent and complex savoury tones. A detailed and earthy Pinot Noir that sits on the edgier side of our estate’s stylistic spectrum.

96 points. Some wines just have that extra something, and this is one of those wines. It’s outstanding. The length of the finish here is for the ages. It tastes of iron, cherry, woodspice, undergrowth and cedar, red rose notes in the mix too, and it firms beautifully as it mounts its final attack. One sip and I was convinced. It’s complex, tense, and exquisitely well finished. Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au.

95 points. Sitting on the edge of reduction, with an earth-driven focus and aromas of dried black fruits, smoked bark, cured meats, damp organic soils and burnt orange peel. The palate is finely tuned, with an herbal edge, fine-boned tannins and bright acidity. Nicely constructed. Drink or hold. Screw cap. Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com.