Bay of Fires Pinot Noir 2022

Best in Show & Top 50 Wines - 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards

Decanter selected this wonderful Tasmanian Pinot Noir in the Top 50 Wines of the World, a huge accolade to add to the Gold Medals it has won at two major Australian wine shows. Fruit for the 2022 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir was sourced from the Derwent River and Coal River Valley sub-regions of Tasmania. 

"Complex aromas of bramble, cherry, raspberry, spice, clovey oak and a lifted, whole-bunchy edge. There's a core of wildness: red berries, spice and bushy, briary characters driving the flavours, along with sap and earth. The tannins have appealing presence and the acidity provides cut and snap. A lovely pinot noir."  Aaron Brasher

"Bright, vibrant red in colour, the perfume of this wine is very complex. Sweet ripe strawberry fruit features with Chinese spice from MV 6 cloned vineyards and whole bunch influence – star anise, cinnamon plum blossom. Although elegant and supple, the wine shows remarkable power, intensity and length on the palate. Framed by ripe, moderate tannin the graceful strawberry fruit is complemented but not dominated by spice. Overall the wine has wonderful poise and balance with remarkable length of flavour as all great Pinot Noirs should."  Bay of Fires

Expert reviews

"Prior to 2024, we’ve never had a Tasmanian Pinot in our Best In Show selection. This year we have two. Was it because 2022 was a sensational vintage? Not exactly – the east coast of the island suffered from a spectacularly cool, wet season; elsewhere on the island, though, conditions did indeed vary from good to outstanding. The first wine in our pair is a pan-Tasmanian blend with source fruit from several regions. It is a translucent dark red in colour, with warm, settled aromas of plum, cherry and raspberry just teased towards sweetness with subtle oak. It is warm, soft and mouthfilling, built on the same core of subtly mingled fruits with muted, natural acidity and fine tannins, the combination giving an almost silky charm to the wine. This considered, restrained winemaking lays the groundwork for a Pinot which is hugely easy to drink yet at the same time deeply satisfying and highly amenable – a Pinot to sip on its own, to chill with fish or to serve at a cool room temperature for white meats and salads."  Decanter World Wine Awards - 97 points and Best in Show and Top 50 Wines of 2024

"Somewhat forward developed, with the first aromas smoky charcoal/grilled meats, and in the mouth, sweet succulent ripe cherry fruit aplenty, completed by soft tannins. Delicious! (Best in Show award, 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards). Drink 2024-2032."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 96 points and Wine of the Week

"Stylish and refined, the wine shows dark cherry, rich floral, olive, warm mushroom and toasted almond notes on the nose, leading to a concentrated palate displaying finely flowing mouthfeel combined with silky texture and beautifully melded tannins. Wonderfully composed and harmonious with a lengthy seamless finish. At its best: now to 2037."  Sam Kim, Wine Orbit – 96 points

"Lovely colour, bright, youthful and lively. Complex aromas of bramble, cherry, raspberry, spice, clovey oak and a lifted, whole-bunchy edge. There's a core of wildness: red berries, spice and bushy, briary characters driving the flavours, along with sap and earth. The tannins have appealing presence and the acidity provides cut and snap. A lovely pinot noir. Drink 2024-2034."  Aaron Brasher, The Real Review - 95 points

Awards

Best in Show & Top 50 Wines - 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards
Wine of the Week - Huon Hooke, The Real Review 
Top Gold Medal – 2024 Tasmanian Wine Show
Gold Medal – 2023 Royal Adelaide Wine Show 

About the winery

"Hardys purchased its first grapes from Tasmania in '94, with the aim of further developing and refining its sparkling wines, a process that quickly gave birth to House of Arras. The next stage was the inclusion of various parcels of chardonnay from Tasmania in the '98 Eileen Hardy, then the development in '01 of the Bay of Fires brand. Under the umbrella of Accolade Wines today, Bay of Fires is home to non-vintage sparkling white and rosé, alongside impressive riesling, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, chardonnay and pinot noir. Sourcing is with a particular focus on the Tamar, Coal and Derwent Valleys and East Coast." James Halliday

"Bay of Fires' philosophy, in the vineyard and in the winery, is to ensure the varietal characteristics of our Tasmanian fruit are revealed, preserved and celebrated in every wine we create for you. The Bay of Fires' winemaking team captures the essence of the fruit that has been lovingly nurtured in the vineyards and crafts exceptional wines. Ideas are shared, knowledge is consolidated and curiosity brings out the very best in every parcel of fruit. Find balance and beauty will follow.

Acidity is balanced against sweetness to create delicate Rieslings. A harmony of mouthfeel and fruit flavour is achieved in our Chardonnays. And, of course, the trickiest grape of them all, Pinot Noir, amplifies its terroir beautifully and is delivered in a wine of superb complexity, structure and romance." Bay of Fires