Rogue Pinot Noir [2024] Kuitpo

Irritants become pearls.
Time rewards sitting long in discomfort. 

Just 1521 bottles produced. 

The story of Rogue Pinot Noir is something truly meaningful.

Inspired by a good friend.
His legacy was an attitude of F-it. Chase your dreams. Ignore the haters.
Know that true greatness exists on the fringes.
That exceptional is rarely 'safe'.

A transcendent tribute. Inspiration, dedication, gravelly eloquence. 
And pixie dust.

Rogue is a single-vineyard wine from grapes we've been working with for over a decade.
Tasting through our barrels after the 2024 we saw something exceptional. Pixie dust. 
Something on the fringes. 

Something to embrace. 
A small batch to champion. 
A chance.

The aroma reveals minimal hints of fruit, but a savoury edge by design. It's smoky.
The stems of the whole bunch component reveal themselves.

Flavours unfold on the palate reminiscent of orange zest, Campari, and the sophistication of a Negroni, coupled with herbal and earthy undertones that transport the senses to that favourite wine bar as you open the door and step in.

Fruit is not the star here. It's far more considered and earthy.
A valid expression of the diverse and site driven variety we know and love.

100% Adelaide Hills
100% Single Vineyard
100% Pinot Noir
Grower: Ben Schmaal
Vineyard: Verdure Estate, Kuipto
Clone: MV6
Harvest date: 6th March 2024
10 months in French Oak
35% New
12.3% alc/vol
Bottles: 1521

Below is the what - but more important is the why...

Whole berries on skins for 5 days, spontaneous small open fermentation. Gently pressed to French oak, 35% new, for a 10-month maturation in large format French Oak (puncheons and hogsheads).
Bottled without fining or filtration.