2024 Ashton Hills Gamay

92 pts
A rare Adelaide Hills Gamay from Ashton Hills – fragrant, juicy and finely built, showing just how well this elusive grape thrives in the Hills.

Price:
Sale price$42.00
Stock:
Sold out
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Description

When a small parcel of Gamay from Woodside came up, Ashton Hills couldn’t resist – the variety isn't super common in Australia but it perfectly suited to the Adelaide Hills’ cool slopes, and offers a different angle on the estate’s Pinot-driven reputation.

The 2024 season was mixed: a cool flowering meant small crops, then a wet start to summer gave way to warm, dry ripening weather. Fruit was in by early March, hand-harvested at peak freshness. In the winery it was kept simple – native yeasts, a fifth of the ferment left as whole bunches, and a short rest in seasoned oak and stainless steel to lock in fragrance and crunch.

The result is a bright, lively red. Dark plum, raspberry and blackberry spill out of the glass, touched by rose petal and spice. The palate is light on its feet – more red berries, a little earthiness, fine acidity snapping everything into shape. Utterly drinkable now, with the option to cellar for a few years if you like your Gamay a bit more mellow.

Mike Bennie

Mike Bennie

Halliday Wine Companion 92 Points

From a source in Woodside. Wild fermented and sees 20% whole bunches in that ferment. It's a juicy, bright, somewhat crisp red wine of refreshing red cherry, rosehip tea, maraschino cherry notes and pomegranate juice – all the crunchy red fruits. A touch of alpine herb, some salted licorice touches, a dash of white pepper. Really appealing, very primary fruited, super vibrant and somewhat elementary but great drinking overall.

Gamay is one of the lightest-bodied red grape varieties, famous for its expressive flavours and minimal tannin. When a small parcel from Woodside in the Adelaide Hills was offered to Ashton Hills, the opportunity was too good to miss.

Growing Season
Cool weather during flowering reduced yields for the 2024 vintage. A wetter-than-average December and January gave way to a warm, dry February, creating excellent ripening conditions. The warmer weather accelerated ripening, and fruit was hand-harvested on 6 March 2024 .

Bouquet
Dark plum, fresh raspberry, and blackberry leap from the glass, complemented by rose petal and baking spice .

Palate
Fresh berries continue on the palate, layered with subtle earthy notes for vibrant and complex flavours. Crunchy acidity frames the wine, while maturation in seasoned oak and stainless steel keeps it tight and youthful .

Vinification
Fermented with indigenous yeasts, including 20% whole bunches for added aromatics and structure. Basket-pressed and aged eight months in seasoned French oak and stainless-steel tank to preserve fragrance and freshness .

Food Match
Traditional French cassoulet .

Cellaring
Drink now or cellar up to five years for further complexity .

Technical Details

Alcohol: 13.5%

Winemaker
Liam Van Pelt

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type Red
Body Light Bodied
Variety Gamay
Country Australia
Region Adelaide Hills
Australian State SA
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 92
Alcohol 13.5%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Screw Cap

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