2022 Broad Acres Pinot Noir $42

04/27/2025

Broad Acres with its warm and welcoming Windows on Westella cafe is a relatively recent addition to the wine scene in North West Tasmania. The Broadby family planted their 2ha vineyard in 2016 as an adjunct to their renowned Tasmanian Pickled Onions business. Pinot and pickled onions make strange bedfellows. A more unorthodox start to wine production you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere - but Broad Acres found its feet very early on and has really made great strides in the quality stakes.

Four carefully selected clones contributed to this 2022 Pinot Noir, the vineyard's fourth crop from the Westella Drive property. The elevated site looking out over Bass Strait enjoys spectacular views, great sunlight exposure and long hang-times. Hand-picked fruit at the end of a slightly cool but very high quality season arrived in pristine condition at the family's contract winemakers, Ghost Rock.

Two separate ferments - based on clonal ripeness - were then blended together to create a layered and harmonious expression of Pinot Noir. In the glass, the wine has surprisingly deep colour but its the generosity of fruit that really captures attention. The aromatics are ripe and very fragrant, with red berry/red cherry notes showing distinctive floral/rose petal highlights and gentle oak support. The flavours run much the same fruit spectrum with the addition of a little blueberry and cinnamon/Chinese five spice.

Perhaps more importantly, the wine is remarkably light on its feet, in spite of its 13.9% alcohol. Twice cooked duck or medium rare venison tenderloin would make ideal partners at the dinner table.

The Broadby and Arnold families are on a steep learning curve when it comes to growing and making these small batch, single vineyard wines. Right now, they're making it look easy.

Source: Cellar door tasting and purchase, April 2025