Bright in the glass, this Trueheart Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir opens with an inviting burst of glacé cherries, raspberries and strawberries before some savoury detail slips into view.
Tilled earth, twiggy notes and a touch of compost add interest and keep things grounded. The palate starts with a juicy red-fruited trajectory, but it’s the black pepper spice that steadily builds momentum, eventually overrunning the fruit. There’s a muscular core at work, giving the wine some shape and presence, though it tightens up through the finish. A drying black tea note has the final say, lingering long. At $25, there’s enough character here to find its audience, particularly those who enjoy a more savoury, spice-driven take on Pinot Noir. For mine, however, this is a wine that needs food by its side to show its best.
88/100
Region: Adelaide Hills