La Cote earned its name as it is the steepest slope that the Milltons farm.

La Cote is a parcel in the Clos de Ste Anne vineyard on a steep northeast facing slope, which has a collection of modern Pinot Noir clones. As tractors cannot traverse this site, all work is done by hand. Soils are dense clay over sandstone giving smallish bunches with moderate vigor.

I look to the old world for inspiration with Pinot Noir. I don’t want a big fruit bomb, nor a dark wine with blocky oak tannin. I want delicacy and digestibility with a subtle memory that can accompany aromatic foods with flavor. Hand-harvested grapes are chilled, sorted and de-stemmed uncrushed into small wood cuves for prolonged fermentation using natural yeasts. Pressing takes place after one lunar phase (28 days), then the wine is put to barrel for 15 months aging.

A bright fruited, expressive nose, with notes of dark cherry, juniper berry and an intriguing hint of fennel and manuka flower. There is a savory taste with firm tannins and ripe fruit finishing with a lively mineral edge to balance.