WINELIST No. 66
Dear WineList Member…
At the time of writing, we are in the middle of the 2023 vintage, surrounded by ferments from recently picked blocks. By early May, we would normally be nursing the last few batches through vinification, but it’s been a different vintage.
Cool climate winemaking has a unique set of challenges and Pinot Noir is a particularly fickle variety. It operates in a small climatic window, needing enough sunshine and warmth to ripen, but sensitive to too much of both, which can compromise its trademark elegant complexity.
This year it has been a waiting game, owing to an unusually cool South Australian summer amplified by the elevation of the Piccadilly Valley. I was very relieved when we were able to start picking and I am pleased to report that all ferments are ticking along nicely.
2023 will be another lean year in terms of yield, following on from the small 2022 vintage. I hope that this year will match the quality of the 2022 releases, which exemplify the beauty and intensity of Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Ashton Hills 2022 wines are scarce, but as always, we will be allocating to Martini Club members as a priority, followed by WineList members, before we release to trade.
The cooler months are a great time to visit the Adelaide Hills. We would love to see you for Chardonnay May and a chance to try the 2022 Reserve Chardonnay alongside the new release
2022 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
As always, Liza will have the fire cranking as soon as the mercury drops.
Please book your visit online ahead of time to ensure that we can host you at www.ashtonhills.com.au. For same day bookings, please call Liza on (08) 8390 1243.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AshtonHillsVineyard
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashtonhillsvineyard
Website: www.ashtonhills.com.au
Cheers
Liam Van Pelt Winemaker
2022 IN THE PICCADILLY VALLEY
A cold spring in 2021 resulted in below average fruit set and ultimately reduced yields of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the 2022 vintage. This turned out to be a blessing with a cool summer pushing the majority of our harvest into the last week of March and early April. Ripening of the small berries and bunches was long and slow creating wines with intense colour, flavour concentration and structure.
The 2022 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir is sourced from vineyards within a five-km radius of the estate. The grapes were fermented with 24% whole bunches and then matured in seasoned French oak for nine months. An aromatic delight of plum, woody herbs and fresh red berries with a juicy fresh palate, soft chewy tannins and morish acidity.
The 2022 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay was vinified with wild barrel ferments with some lees stirring in the early stages of its nine month-maturation. Ripening was idyllic for Chardonnay in 2022 and this release again demonstrates the hallmark balance of powerful stone fruit flavours and taught natural acidity. This will be a long-lived wine.
Both wines are available to purchase in our online store and in Cellar Door now.
RESERVE CHARDONNAY RELEASE
The 2022 Reserve Chardonnay is only the second vintage to be made of this limited release wine, sourced exclusively from the Piccadilly Valley sub-region of the Adelaide Hills.
The long sunny days of the Piccadilly Valley promote the development of concentrated powerful fruit with layers of complexity while the cool summer nights help retain the high natural acidity necessary for the balance and tension in great Chardonnay.
The 2022 Reserve Chardonnay is a barrel selection from two exceptional Piccadilly Valley vineyards. The Quigley vineyard runs parallel to the Ashton Hills estate, on the west side of Tregarthen Road and the Virgara vineyard is located slightly south of the estate, at a lower altitude. Both parcels were fermented in barrel with wild yeast and aged in a combination of new, one and two year old French oak.
Following in the footsteps of the sold-out 2021 vintage, the 2022 vintage will again be sold on allocation, with Martini Club members having access to six bottles this
year, and purchases at Cellar Door and online limited to three bottles.
The Reserve Chardonnay will be available for tasting as part of Chardonnay May, along with three vintages of Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay from 1 May 2023. Bookings via www.ashtonhills.com.au/tours-and-events
CHARDONNAY MAY
Celebrating one of our region’s finest varieties across the Adelaide Hills, Chardonnay May returns to Ashton Hills Cellar Door in 2023.
Taste the evolution of the Ashton Hills Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay with a 45-minute vertical flight of the 2018, 2020 and 2022 vintages. Complete your experience with a special tasting of our new release 2022 Reserve Chardonnay.
Available Friday to Monday throughout May while stocks last, this is a rare opportunity to try a classic Adelaide Hills Chardonnay from some of the most prized vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley.
Just $20 per person. Bookings via the website: www.ashtonhills.com.au/tours-and-events or call Liza at Cellar Door Friday to Monday (08) 8390 1243.
SPECIAL OFFERS
Piccadilly Valley Six
2 x 2019 Piccadilly Valley Vintage Rosé
2 x 2022 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay (NEW)
2 x 2022 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir (NEW)
WineList price $216
Regular Price $240
New Release Six
3 x 2022 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir (NEW)
3 x 2022 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay (NEW)
WineList price $216
Regular Price $240
While stocks last...
www.ashtonhills.com.au; call Cellar Door on (08) 8390 1243; or email cellardoor@ashtonhills.com.au
Martini Club Members - receive 10% discount across the range. Ask our cellar door staff how you can join today! Ashton Hills Members - receive free delivery Australia wide for orders of 12 bottles or more.
I do not wish to receive special offers or promotional material
PO Box 246 Ashton SA 5137 08 8390 1243 cellardoor@ashtonhills.com.au Bottle Price Dozen Price (10% disc on dozenscellar door only) Qty (Bottles) Total $ Reds 2022 Ashton Hills Pinot Noir x Pinot Gris $40 $432 $ _______ 2022 Ashton Hills Gamay SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT 2022 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir $40 $432 $ _______ 2021 Sprigg Road Pinot Noir (Limited to 1 bottle per customer) $55 - $ _______ 2021 Estate Pinot Noir (Limited to 6 bottles per customer) $60 - $ _______ 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir (Limited to 1 bottle per customer) $85 - $ _______ 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir 1.5L MAGNUM (1 per customer) $250 - $ _______ Whites 2022 Estate Riesling SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT 2021 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay $40 $432 $ _______ 2022 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay $40 $432 $ _______ 2022 Reserve Chardonnay (Limited to 3 bottles per customer) $80 - $ _______ Sparkling 2019 Piccadilly Valley Sparkling Vintage Rosé $40 $432 $ _______ 2016 Clare Valley Sparkling Shiraz SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT SUB TOTAL $ FREIGHT $ TOTAL $ Name: Business Name
Delivery): Address: Suburb: State: Postcode: Phone #: Date of Birth: Delivery Instructions: Email: Payment Method: Cheque M/C VISA AMEX Card #: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Exp: ____ / ____ CVC: Signature:
(For
