Pinot Noir 'North Dread' Poppelvej 2021

The Australian small-scale winery Poppelvej presents the Pinot Noir ‘North Dread’, a juicy and robust interpretation of the well-known Burgundian black grape variety. The name of this label, literally "fear of the north", is a dedication from the producer Uffe Deichmann to his wife Nicole, who for two years left sunny Australia to move to cold Denmark, Uffe's home country.

The ‘North Dread’ Poppelvej Pinot Noir is produced solely from grapes of the homonymous Burgundian variety, grown through sustainable practices in a vineyard in the Kuitpo area. In particular, the vineyard is located on volcanic soils at 330 meters above sea level and is characterized by significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, a factor that promotes optimal accumulation of aromatic precursors in the berries. After harvest, the grapes are transferred to the cellar and fermented as red wine, with half as whole clusters and the remaining portion hand-destemmed. Alcoholic fermentation is entrusted solely to indigenous yeasts, accompanied by gentle foot-treading, while for the subsequent 8-month aging phase, exhausted wooden barrels are used. The entire winemaking process excludes filtration operations and the addition of additives and oenological aids, except for minimal doses of sulfur dioxide when the wine requires it.

Upon visual examination, the Pinot Noir ‘North Dread’ from the artisanal Poppelvej winery exhibits a light and bright ruby red color with garnet hues. The aromatic spectrum is defined by primary hints of cherry and wild berries meeting notes of undergrowth and hints of sweet spices. On the palate, it is dry and robust, with juicy freshness merging with a light tannic structure in an energetic and persistent finish, with a pleasantly rustic dimension.