Rippon ‘Tinker’s Bequest’ Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2016 ‘Zero Sulphur’

Fermentation: Naturally occurring carbon dioxide is harvested off a Gewurztraminer ferment and used to constantly saturate the entire whole cluster fermenter. This provides the extremely healthy fruit adequate protection whilst the yeast take time to multiply. The winery’s resident yeast population (non-inoculated) started fermenting on the 8^th day of cuvaison. The ferments reached maximum temperatures of up to 27 degrees celsius. It then tracked more or less the same as a mature vine pinot noir, with very gentle pigeage, perhaps only once or twice every few days.

PH 3.55 ,T.A 6.3G/L , Als.13.3% , R.S <2g/l

“Time, patience, skill and perseverance have bequeathed us this opportunity:  to make a truly fine wine naturally.  It was a joy to work with from the outset and made it into the bottle with nothing added and nothing taken away.
*This offers some gently smoky and stony, savoury aromas, ahead of violets and blackcurrants, as well as a deep-set, blueberry core. The palate has such velvety, soft and supple texture with power and concentration, too. The richness and muscular build on the finish of this wine is striking. Give it some time to develop further in bottle. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try from 2024”_ 97 Points – James Suckling/NICK STOCK

Rated: 95 Points by Mike Bennie _ Winefront
“From 30-year-old vines in a single plot. Rippon winemakers led by Nick Mills make judicious decisions about not adding sulphur to some wines (something Mills has told me he would like to see across all wines when and if possible), and this is a cuvee without sulphur added.
I like this. Lots of personality, a wild streak, chewy with a quilt of firm, graphite tannins, bright with acidity, berries tumbled through earth and dried herbs, brined green olive characters, rose hip tea, stony minerality in spades. It’s quite a hearty pinot when you take a pause from all that’s going on, but geez, the charm is out there. So much flavour, so much interest in texture, so much Dolby surround sound. Fantastic unfettered expression. Strap in.”