2020 Shadowfax Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges, Victoria
Tasting Notes
Blackberries and spice spill onto the palate. This generous Pinot has breadth and expanse, yet shows poise from seams of grown ripe tannins. There are complexities galore with sandalwood and Campari spice interacting with dark plum fruits. The palate is long and persistent yet light on its feet, bringing you back for more. This is a powerful wine and a fine example of cool climate, high altitude Macedon ranges Pinot Noir.
Elaboration
100% whole berries in small open fermenters. Natural fermentation occurred with daily hand pump overs and limited plunging to extract fine tannins and flavor. After 2 weeks on skins, the wine was pressed then racked into new (30%) and used French Hogs Heads.
Vineyards
Little Hampton, Midhill, Big Shed, Straws Lane, Chanters Ridge, Macedon Ranges
A late and wet spring in the Macedon ranges set small crops. A cool summer and mild spring led to a very long growing season. The high elevation sites led to extra cool nights, helping to retain natural acidity in the grapes. Grapes ripened late in the season with full flavor and phenolic ripeness. Fruit was handpicked in small batches in pristine condition then carefully sorted and destemmed.
Brooding spice aromas including cardamom, star anise, sandalwood, and citrus blossom. Maraschino cherries and wild berries give lift in the glass as do hints of tangerine.
Specs
Vintage: 2020
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: Australia
Alcohol: 13.2%
pH: 3.65
TA: 5.6 g/L
Residual Sugar: Nil
Production: 1,000 cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2020 Shadowfax Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges, Victoria Case:
12x 2020 Shadowfax Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges, Victoria
Established in 1998, Shadowfax is a boutique winery located just 30 minutes from Melbourne in the heart of Werribee Park. Dedicated to creating high-quality and handcrafted wines, their renowned varieties include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Shiraz as well as a selection of highly limited, single-vineyard wines.
Chief Winemaker Alister Timms has a strong focus on regionality with the majority of fruit sourced and hand-harvested from vineyards in the Macedon Ranges and Werribee as well as small growers in Geelong. Each and every vineyard has its own distinct characteristics and produces grapes of only the highest quality.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Well on to a New Year in a few days huh? How’d that happen?
Wine Advocate tossed out an opinion on this wine in their Oct 6 '22 issue:
90 points. The Shadowfax 2020 Pinot Noir is both meaty and succulent at once: layers of peppercorns, pastrami, cherries and red apples work together to bring together a wine of spice and pleasure. Lovely. Drink 2022 - 2029
Jan '22 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review(?) tossed this out:
92 points. Shadowfax produces a fine array of pinot noir and this one is right in the zone around typicity of variety, complexity and value for money.
Dark, bright and youthful in the glass. Aromas of sap, spice, dried herbs, cherry and satsuma plum. The palate has plenty of fleshy red and blue fruits, Asian spice and sappiness. Firm tannins and bright acidity round this wine out very nicely. Smart value.
Now if you’re looking for a hands down reliable opinion I’ve enjoyed a handful of Shadowfax bottles over the years…ha!
And and did someone say pastrami? Pass the Fallot!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2020 Shadowfax Pinot Noir - $46 = 22.88%
If you are looking for a wine that is fruity, very smooth and easy to drink, you might want to try shadowfax Pinot noir. This Pinot is a light-bodied red wine that has aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry, strawberry. its silky texture and soft tannins, which make it very pleasant on the palate. Shadowfax Pinot is a versatile wine that can pair well with many dishes, but one of the best matches is salmon. The delicate flavor and texture of salmon complement the elegance and finesse of this Pinot noir, creating a harmonious balance of taste and texture. Shadowfax Pinot noir and salmon pairing is perfect for a romantic dinner.
@calvinko805@klezman
I actually did a search for some of those fragments based on the verbiage, and due to a post within the last month or so that was poached then nuked.
@calvinko805@klezman@rjquillin Great Catch!! When I read The Lab Rat Report, I didn’t some of the normal things that Rats mention! That really sucks. WD needs to cut his cord!
As others have noted, this “rattage” spew is likely ChatGPT puke. Either this board has been hacked, or calvinko805 should be kicked from the rat pile.
2020 Shadowfax Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges, Victoria
Tasting Notes
Elaboration
Vineyards
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $420/case MSRP
About The Wineries
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Tuesday, Jan 16
2020 Shadowfax Australian Pinot Noir
4 bottles for $66.99 $16.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $154.99 $12.92/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Well on to a New Year in a few days huh? How’d that happen?
Wine Advocate tossed out an opinion on this wine in their Oct 6 '22 issue:
90 points. The Shadowfax 2020 Pinot Noir is both meaty and succulent at once: layers of peppercorns, pastrami, cherries and red apples work together to bring together a wine of spice and pleasure. Lovely. Drink 2022 - 2029
Jan '22 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review(?) tossed this out:
92 points. Shadowfax produces a fine array of pinot noir and this one is right in the zone around typicity of variety, complexity and value for money.
Dark, bright and youthful in the glass. Aromas of sap, spice, dried herbs, cherry and satsuma plum. The palate has plenty of fleshy red and blue fruits, Asian spice and sappiness. Firm tannins and bright acidity round this wine out very nicely. Smart value.
Now if you’re looking for a hands down reliable opinion I’ve enjoyed a handful of Shadowfax bottles over the years…ha!
And and did someone say pastrami? Pass the Fallot!
fwiw
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2020 Shadowfax Pinot Noir - $46 = 22.88%
If you are looking for a wine that is fruity, very smooth and easy to drink, you might want to try shadowfax Pinot noir. This Pinot is a light-bodied red wine that has aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry, strawberry. its silky texture and soft tannins, which make it very pleasant on the palate. Shadowfax Pinot is a versatile wine that can pair well with many dishes, but one of the best matches is salmon. The delicate flavor and texture of salmon complement the elegance and finesse of this Pinot noir, creating a harmonious balance of taste and texture. Shadowfax Pinot noir and salmon pairing is perfect for a romantic dinner.
@calvinko805 this a real rat review or something spit out by ChatGPT?
@calvinko805 @klezman
I actually did a search for some of those fragments based on the verbiage, and due to a post within the last month or so that was poached then nuked.
@calvinko805 @klezman @rjquillin hmmmmm
@calvinko805 @klezman @rjquillin yep all of those fragments are out there…BS on the rattage until proven otherwise
@calvinko805 I always rely on the rats to determine whether or not I will buy. Not this time
@calvinko805 @klezman @rjquillin Great Catch!! When I read The Lab Rat Report, I didn’t some of the normal things that Rats mention! That really sucks. WD needs to cut his cord!
As others have noted, this “rattage” spew is likely ChatGPT puke. Either this board has been hacked, or calvinko805 should be kicked from the rat pile.
@Boatman72 @calvinko805 @klezman @rjquillin @PaleMongo
wow. this has to be a first. i’m so effing on it.
authenticity is our hall mark.
thanks for the heads up.
@Boatman72 @calvinko805 @klezman @PaleMongo @rjquillin this may just be a matter of over reliance and “phoning it in”. long time (and reliable) rat. interesting.
@Boatman72 @klezman @PaleMongo @Winedavid49 @kaolis @maht87 @Leatherchair
Ok all, it’s been confirmed a bottle was sent to @calvinko805 and has ratted before here but it can’t be confirmed it’s not a hacked account.
@Boatman72 @calvinko805 @kaolis @klezman @Leatherchair @maht87 @rjquillin @Winedavid49
That rattage is no better than the ChatGPT spew above, and falls short of why we’ve come to expect…
@Boatman72 @calvinko805 @kaolis @klezman @Leatherchair @PaleMongo @rjquillin @Winedavid49 So the question arises… How does one become a lab rat or get added to the list? I could only find some 2019 surveys with dead links, but nothing current. Asking for a friend…
@maht87 @Winedavid49
contact @wccwinegirl
@calvinko805 @Winedavid49
They wouldn’t be the first lab rat to phone it in, just the first to use ChatGPT to do it!
Oh yeah, I had to ask. Would it still pair well with salmon, if it was a non-romantic dinner?
@Leatherchair Probably not…