Borthwick Left Hand Pinot Noir 2020

The Left and Right Hand Pinot Noirs represent the different personalities of the winemaking team in both vineyard and winery. Left-Handed winemaker Briony Carnachan (logical, creative and precise) and right handed Vigneron Paddy Borthwick (intuitive, impulsive and thoughtful) have each selected a premium parcel of grapes they believe to be the finest expression of the Borthwick Estate Vineyard. Applying their own individual winemaking nuances, with much tasting, lively debate, and careful barrel selection, Briony and Paddy have produced two distinct wines of 1730 bottles each. Produced in only the best seasons, these wines display expressions of Pinot Noir as much as the winemakers themselves.

The Borthwick Left Hand Pinot Noir is 100% French oak aged for 11 months with a mixture of selected cooperages of which 40% of the barrels are new.

The Borthwick Left Hand Pinot Noir has a bouquet of raspberry, blackberry, cherries and cedar. A core of berry fruit, and bramble is accompanied by tobacco, liquorice and seasoned oak notes with hints of smoke and vanilla. This complements a focused palate with integrated fruit tannins and good length.

"Very enticing bouquet of pinosity, varietal signature and complexity. Aromas of dried raspberry and dark cherry flesh, there’s a saline and roasted nut quality with a fine savoury dried herb note then a silty mineral suggestion. Complex and youthful. On the palate - a satin smooth texture touches the palate first then flavours of ripe red berries from cherry to baked strawberry and a touch of wild raspberry. Gentle savoury spices from wood and earth are accentuated by acidity and newness. Length finish with a judicious measure of oak, ripe fruit and pinosty. Best drinking likely from 2024 through 2034." - Cameron Douglas, MS, 95 points