2024 Apollo Pinot Noir

Crafted with 100% Lenswood fruit the 2023 Apollo displays a core of red fruit, wild forest floor aromas and subtle, woody spices. 20% whole bunch influence and 40% new oak adds subtle complexing layers producing a medium bodied wine with intensity and drive yet still displaying brightness and freshness.

Elegant, structured, and deeply expressive, the 2024 Apollo Pinot Noir is a true reflection of its site and season.

The Longer Story

First planted in 1989, Pinot Noir now accounts for 35% of the vineyard, covering just under 10 hectares. The vineyard features four distinct blocks: two planted in the early 2000s with Dijon 114 and 115 (southwest-facing) and two D5V12 blocks from the original 1989 plantings (east-facing). This vintage is crafted from the two 1989 blocks—one rich in ironstone, contributing to its deep tannin structure—and one of the Dijon 114/115 blocks.

The vines thrive in lean, loamy soils threaded with ironstone and quartz, adding to the wine’s structure and fragrance. A mix of whole-bunch and destemmed fruit undergoes 10-21 days on skins before maturing in a selection of barrels—barrique, puncheon, and demi-muid—40% of which are new. We favour tight-grained, low-impact oak to enhance texture and complexity without overshadowing the purity of the fruit.