West Cape Howe Pinot Noir 2025

Accolades

Ray Jordan – 2024 review
“If you’re looking for a value-for-money, pure and vibrant young pinot noir that will not cost the earth, then this little guy is just about spot on. It has some lovely, slightly spicy red fruits on the nose with the faintest mushroomy underlay. The palate releases a vibrant raspberry-cherry red fruit mix with subtle oak integration and a fine, long finish. An impressive wine.”

Tasting Notes

Colour:
Bright, luscious ruby red.

Aromatics:
Strawberry and cherry lead, followed by sweet thyme, rosemary and hints of fennel, cedar and red liquorice. A subtle note of new leather adds appealing savoury complexity.

Palate:
Silky and medium bodied with rich dark fruits, wine gums, star anise and touches of sarsaparilla. Soft, drying tannins support a lush mulberry finish and give the wine shape and length.

Finish:
Vibrant, smooth and moreish, with lingering red fruits and gentle spice.

Vintage Snapshot 2025

Dry conditions continue to prove difficult with the vintage, a hangover from 2024. It is said, it takes two years for a vineyard to recover from a significant weather. event This year’s poor conditions seem to be affected by last year’s high temperatures. Poor flowering during November also reduces the volume of grapes available.

While BOM suggests a wetter than usual condition on the ground it was a dry year after high temperatures the year before. Rain events were significant but few and far between. Poor flowering in November added to poor flowering conditions which resulted in lower volumes of Pinot Noir. However, fast ripening produced reds that are big and full of flavour which will be crowd pleasers.

Viticulture & Winemaking

• Region: Mount Barker, Great Southern, WA

• Varietal: Pinot Noir

• Vintage: 2025

• Style: Medium bodied, plush and vibrant with fine tannin structure

Fruit was selected from the cooler blocks of the Mount Barker vineyards to retain acidity and perfume in a warm, early season. Gentle handling in the winery preserves fragrance and softness, with subtle oak influence sitting in the background to frame, not dominate, the fruit.

Cellaring & Serving ❄️

• Drink: Delicious now for its bright fruit and plush texture

• Cellar: 2 to 4 years for a little extra savoury complexity and pizazz

• Serving Temperature: Around 15 to 17 degrees C

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Smoked beef ribs

• BBQ lamb cutlets with rosemary and garlic

• Roast duck with cherries or plums

• Mushroom and thyme risotto

• Charcuterie with soft cheeses and cured meats

FAQ 🧐

Is this more of a fruit-forward or savoury Pinot?
More on the plush, fruit-forward side, with enough savoury spice and herb notes to keep it interesting.

How serious is the structure?
It has soft yet firm tannins that give appealing grip without being heavy, making it both approachable now and capable of short-term cellaring.

Is it good value?
Absolutely. With Ray Jordan calling it impressive and highlighting the value, it is one of those reds that seriously overdelivers for the price.