Ghost Rock La Filles Pinot Noir 2024 - 6x75cl

Stuart McCloskey, tasted 5th February 2026 “Again - this is, I believe, my third bottle (always best to be thorough!). Characteristically, the bouquet recalls Sonoma Pinot, and a very good one at that. The perfume is drop-dead gorgeous, as is the flavour and texture. In many respects, this should be enticement enough; after all, that’s what wine is all about. For the money, there is nothing to fault.

This is certainly one of the most moreish bouquets I’ve inhaled in a long time. It exudes ripeness and power, with fruit firmly on the black-and-blue spectrum. I love the aromatic florals that provide lift, as does a noticeable twang of salinity. The spicing is the sweetest imaginable and utterly delectable - candied lavender alongside fresh mint crushed in the palm of your hand. With aeration, the fruit is gently tamed, turning more brooding in character. It’s packed with layers and finishes with an unmistakable tang of blood orange. With more airtime, black tea emerges, then smoked black tea. The perfume is a storybook all of its own.

The palate is simply sumptuous - walking the tightrope between ripeness and adult complexity. Stylistically, this reminds me of the exquisite Pinots produced by DuMol, which I occasionally open at home. Perhaps toned down a smidgeon, but I’m confident in drawing the parallel. Textural silk: this slips and slides with consummate ease. The fruit is exquisite - beginning in blue and purple tones before finishing with high notes of cranberry. Sweet spicing and blood orange carry the experience for minutes. Tannins? The finest, most filigreed imaginable.

Don’t be fooled by the lavish description: this wine displays crystalline purity. Such a dreamy bottle of Aussie Pinot. Drink now to 2036 - it will be fascinating to observe its progression over the next 6–8 years. Served using Zalto Burgundy stemware. Ridiculously good…”

Justin Arnold, Owner/Winemaker "A thing of aromatic beauty. So seductive and pure. Just wow every time for us. Silky, silky, silky."

Bouquet: A brooding and expressive aromatic profile, led by ripe plum, blackberry compote, and a twist of cracked black pepper. These dark fruit tones are underscored by subtle spice and earthy undertones, hinting at forest floor and dried herbs. It’s a deeper, more contemplative take on Pinot Noir, immediately captivating.
 
Palate: The palate is bold and generous, delivering impressive breadth and fruit weight without tipping into excess. Layers of dark fruit roll across the tongue, supported by supple tannins and a fresh, balancing acid line that keeps the wine vibrant and food-friendly. There’s a confident structure here—ample but poised—with a long, spice-laced finish that speaks to both ripeness and restraint. A Pinot for those who love depth and drive in equal measure.
 
Vintage: 2024 will be remembered as a vintage of distinction, with fabulous growing conditions that yielded fruit of superb quality. The climate during the spring and summer was notably warmer and dryer than previous years. This pattern had not been seen since 2019, which was also a year that made exceptional wines that are still holding up today. The wines from 2024 will be celebrated for having considerable character, intensity, and a great deal of potential.
 
Winemaking: The 777 clone was picked, destemmed, and fermented separately early in the season, with the 114 clone following nearly two weeks later. Both batches were wild fermented, hand plunged twice daily, and pressed just at dry. The clonal split of this wine is 70% 114, and 30% 777. Careful blending trials created this wine from the 11 best barrels, 3 of which were new, resulting in a 27% new oak profile. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
 
Viticulture: Planted in 2014, La Filles is one of our lowest and most sheltered vineyards. Intuitively, fruit from this vineyard is some of the earliest ripening. It’s long flat North/South rows make for consistent, warm growing conditions which translate into intense, deep aromatics within its fruit profile. The vines are hand tended and leaf plucked to ensure ample sun exposure and airflow.