Angels Road Vineyard | Established 1986 | Pemberton | 50%

Ten Chains Vineyard | Established 1996 | Pemberton | 50%

Approx 40% Whole bunch (chilled), with remainder destemmed (no crushing), run over sorting table and chilled for approx. 5-day cold soak. Fermented in specialized open Pinot fermenter (an old, insulated milk vat providing a large skin to juice ratio).  Ferment allowed to start naturally and pigeaged twice daily with regular “foot” stomping of whole bunches.  A portion was drained to barrel at 4 Be with the remainder pressed at dryness. Matured in 500L puncheons (approx. 30% new, remainder 1yr old). The wine was completely unfined and unfiltered to retain as much natural flavour and nuances as possible.

A total of 14 different clones helps produce a plush, very complex style of Pinot.  2024 was one of the warmest vintages on record, providing a full and rich flavour profile. The whole bunch portion provides a lifted confectionary note as well as some stalky complexity.  There’s lashing of earthy, mushroom notes that glide over the focused primary strawberry and cherry Pinot fruit and supported from the French oak savoriness.  The tannins are fine grained and nicely textured to provide some fine-boned structure to the wine.

The name “Burning Violins” came from one of our favourite Leonard Cohen songs.  It draws a similarity to the difficulties (but also beauty) of this challenging instrument and this very difficult variety.  But when it’s on-song it “Dances you to the end of love”.