2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Dijon Clones Pinot Noir – Huon Valley, Tasmania – 96 Halliday | 95 Wine Advocate

🏆 96 POINTS HALLIDAY | 95 POINTS THE WINE ADVOCATE – ONE OF TASMANIA'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY PINOT NOIRS FROM AN EXCEPTIONAL HUON VALLEY VINEYARD!

96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion | 95 Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 

2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Dijon Clones Pinot Noir – Cradoc, Huon Valley, Tasmania

RRP $97

If you want to understand why Tasmania is producing some of the most exciting Pinot Noir in the Southern Hemisphere, this is an extraordinary place to start.

The 2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Dijon Clones Pinot Noir is a magnificent example of what can be achieved in one of Australia's coolest and most challenging wine-growing regions.

Produced by Paul and Gilli Lipscombe from their remarkable vineyard at Cradoc in Tasmania's Huon Valley, this is a wine of exceptional finesse, fragrance, savoury complexity and precision.

And the critical recognition is outstanding.

96 points from Halliday Wine Companion and 95 points from Erin Larkin at Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

These are serious scores for a seriously impressive wine.

But perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of this release is the vineyard itself.

The 2023 Dijon Clones Pinot Noir was produced from yields of just 1.7 tonnes per hectare – an exceptionally small crop that highlights the challenges and potential rewards of growing Pinot Noir in Tasmania's far south.

The wine combines four Pinot Noir clones, including the fascinating Abel clone, with wild fermentation and carefully considered French oak maturation.

The result is a wine of remarkable aromatic detail, beautiful texture and exceptional length.

At $97 per bottle, this is a compelling opportunity to experience one of Tasmania's most distinctive and highly regarded boutique Pinot Noir producers.

Sailor Seeks Horse – An Extraordinary Tasmanian Wine Story

The story of Sailor Seeks Horse is one of the most fascinating in Australian wine.

Established by Paul and Gilli Lipscombe, the estate has developed an outstanding reputation for producing beautifully refined Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Tasmania's cool Huon Valley.

The couple brought considerable international wine experience to their project, but their ambition was always centred on finding a vineyard capable of producing truly exceptional cool-climate wines.

In 2010, they took on a neglected vineyard at Cradoc, south of Hobart.

The property had originally been planted in 2005 but had fallen into disrepair.

Rather than walking away from the challenges, Paul and Gilli recognised the potential of the site.

Its north-east-facing slope, well-drained soils and exceptionally cool growing environment offered the foundations for producing wines of genuine distinction.

What followed was years of intensive vineyard rehabilitation, replanting and meticulous attention to detail.

Today, Sailor Seeks Horse has become one of the most exciting boutique producers in Tasmania.

The wines are celebrated for their remarkable purity, elegant structure, mineral complexity and extraordinary sense of place.

This is a producer that has earned its reputation through dedication to a difficult vineyard and an uncompromising pursuit of quality.

Cradoc & the Huon Valley – Tasmania's Cool-Climate Frontier

The Huon Valley is one of the most southerly wine-growing areas in Australia.

Situated south of Hobart, the region experiences a particularly cool maritime climate, with long growing seasons and conditions that can be challenging even by Tasmanian standards.

For Pinot Noir, these conditions can be extraordinary.

Cool temperatures encourage slow flavour development and help preserve the vibrant natural acidity that is so important to fine Pinot Noir.

The resulting wines can display remarkable aromatic definition, delicate fruit characters, finely structured tannins and impressive mineral complexity.

At Sailor Seeks Horse, the estate vineyard occupies a north-east-facing slope with sandy-loam soils over clay.

The site is dry-grown, with careful vineyard management designed to maintain vine health and balance.

Its location presents considerable challenges, particularly during difficult growing seasons.

But the rewards can be spectacular.

The finest Huon Valley Pinot Noirs possess a combination of fragrance, tension, savoury complexity and elegance that places them among Australia's most fascinating red wines.

Dijon Clones – Four Distinct Expressions of Pinot Noir

One of the most interesting aspects of this wine is its clonal composition.

The 2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Dijon Clones Pinot Noir brings together four selections of Pinot Noir:

Clone 114

A Burgundian selection associated with elegant structure, red-fruit characters and aromatic finesse.

Clone 115

One of the most highly regarded Dijon clones, often celebrated for its fragrance, colour and beautifully structured fruit.

Clone 777

A selection capable of producing concentrated fruit, dark cherry characters and impressive depth.

Abel Clone

One of the most intriguing Pinot Noir selections, with a fascinating history associated with Burgundy and New Zealand.

The combination of these clones allows Paul and Gilli Lipscombe to explore different dimensions of Pinot Noir within the same vineyard environment.

Rather than relying on a single selection, the wine brings together complementary characteristics that can contribute complexity, balance and textural interest.

For serious Pinot Noir enthusiasts, this is a particularly fascinating opportunity to explore the character of Burgundian clonal material in one of Australia's coolest wine-growing environments.

Exceptionally Low Yields – Just 1.7 Tonnes Per Hectare

The 2024 growing season produced exceptionally low yields at Sailor Seeks Horse.

The Dijon Clones Pinot Noir came from a crop of just 1.7 tonnes per hectare.

To put that into perspective, this is a very small harvest, even by the standards of premium Pinot Noir production.

Low yields do not automatically guarantee great wine, but they can create the opportunity for exceptional concentration and vineyard expression when fruit quality and vine balance are right.

In a cool region such as the Huon Valley, the challenge is to achieve flavour development while retaining freshness and structural elegance.

The 2023 Dijon Clones Pinot Noir demonstrates the potential of this approach.

The wine combines beautiful fruit intensity with an almost ethereal delicacy.

There is concentration without excessive weight, structure without heaviness and impressive flavour persistence without sacrificing elegance.

This is precisely the kind of balance that makes great Pinot Noir so extraordinary.

Wild Strawberry, Red Cherry, Exotic Spice & Extraordinary Savoury Complexity

The 2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Dijon Clones Pinot Noir is a beautifully detailed and wonderfully aromatic wine.

The colour is a bright, attractive mid-ruby.

The nose opens with a captivating combination of wild strawberry, raspberry and red cherry, complemented by exotic spice, wildflowers and subtle earthy complexity.

Additional nuances of poached rhubarb, leaf litter, dried meats and delicate flinty characters add extraordinary interest.

There is also a beautifully integrated nutty oak character that contributes complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

On the palate, the wine is remarkably refined.

The red-fruit flavours are beautifully defined, supported by savoury detail, fine tannins and refreshing acidity.

There is an almost weightless quality to the texture, yet the wine possesses impressive concentration and length.

The tannins have a delicate, mineral-like character, providing structure without excessive grip.

A subtle saline quality contributes further complexity to the finish.

This is Pinot Noir of exceptional precision, fragrance and finesse – a wine that delivers remarkable intensity without relying on sheer weight or power.

96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

96 Points – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

95 Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

95 Points – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

Two outstanding reviews from two of the most respected wine publications in Australia and internationally.

For serious collectors, this is compelling recognition.

Wild Fermentation & 42% New French Oak

The winemaking behind the 2023 Dijon Clones Pinot Noir is thoughtful and precise.

The fruit was entirely destemmed, with no whole-bunch inclusion.

Fermentation occurred naturally with wild yeasts.

Following fermentation, the wine was matured for 12 months in French oak, of which 42% was new.

This is a significant proportion of new oak, but the critical reviews suggest it has been beautifully integrated into the finished wine.

Rather than dominating the delicate Pinot Noir fruit, the oak contributes additional structure, spice and complexity.

The wine was bottled unfined, preserving its natural texture and character.

At just 12.8% alcohol, it is a wonderful example of how Pinot Noir can achieve exceptional intensity and complexity without high alcohol or excessive ripeness.

This is beautifully measured winemaking, allowing the character of the vineyard and its remarkable fruit to remain the focus.

A Pinot Noir for Serious Burgundy Enthusiasts

The finest Pinot Noirs of Burgundy are celebrated for their extraordinary ability to combine fragrance, texture, savoury complexity and a distinctive sense of place.

Great wines from Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée and Morey-Saint-Denis can display remarkable aromatic detail and beautifully structured palates without excessive weight.

The 2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Dijon Clones Pinot Noir shares many of these stylistic ambitions.

Its delicate red-fruit perfume, savoury complexity, fine tannins and mineral precision are qualities that will appeal enormously to lovers of serious red Burgundy.

The use of Dijon Pinot Noir clones provides another fascinating connection to the Burgundian tradition.

But this is not an imitation of Burgundy.

It is an expression of an entirely different vineyard, shaped by the cool maritime conditions of Tasmania's Huon Valley.

For anyone who appreciates elegant, mineral-driven and beautifully perfumed Pinot Noir, this is an Australian wine that deserves serious consideration.

A Pinot Noir with Excellent Cellaring Potential

The combination of vibrant acidity, beautifully structured tannins and impressive fruit concentration provides an excellent foundation for bottle development.

Erin Larkin suggests a drinking window of 2026–2036.

Over time, the youthful red cherry, raspberry and floral characters may develop towards dried rose petals, forest floor, earthy spice and more complex savoury notes.

The wine's delicate structure and mineral precision make it particularly interesting for collectors who appreciate the evolution of serious cool-climate Pinot Noir.

While it should provide considerable pleasure in its youth, there is also a compelling case for putting a few bottles away.

This is a wine worth following over the next decade.

🍷 Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we have enormous admiration for the extraordinary quality of Pinot Noir now emerging from Tasmania.

The island has established itself as one of the most exciting regions in the Southern Hemisphere for this notoriously demanding grape variety.

And Sailor Seeks Horse is one of the producers that makes the region so fascinating.

Paul and Gilli Lipscombe have taken a challenging, neglected vineyard in the Huon Valley and transformed it into a source of exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The dedication required to achieve this in such a cool and demanding environment is extraordinary.

The 2023 Dijon Clones Pinot Noir is a particularly compelling release.

Four fascinating Pinot Noir clones, exceptionally low yields of just 1.7 tonnes per hectare, wild fermentation and beautifully integrated French oak.

And the result?

96 points from Halliday Wine Companion and 95 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

This is serious Pinot Noir.

The combination of fragrance, savoury complexity, fine tannins and mineral precision is exactly what makes the finest examples of the variety so captivating.

At $97 a bottle, this is a wine that deserves the attention of serious Pinot Noir enthusiasts, Burgundy lovers and collectors of outstanding Australian wine.

One of Tasmania's most exciting boutique estates. One of Australia's coolest vineyard sites. Two exceptional critical ratings.

The 2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Dijon Clones Pinot Noir is a remarkable example of just how extraordinary Australian Pinot Noir has become.

Wine Details

• Producer: Sailor Seeks Horse

• Winemakers: Paul and Gilli Lipscombe

• Wine: Dijon Clones Pinot Noir

• Vintage: 2023

• Region: Cradoc, Huon Valley, Tasmania

• Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Clones: 114, 115, 777 and Abel

• Vineyard: Sailor Seeks Horse Estate Vineyard

• Yield: 1.7 tonnes per hectare

• Fermentation: Wild yeast

• Whole Bunch: None – 100% destemmed

• Oak Maturation: 12 months in French oak, 42% new

• Fining: Unfined

• Alcohol: 12.8%

• Closure: Screwcap

• Critic Ratings: 96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion | 95 Points – The Wine Advocate

• Drinking Window: 2026–2036

• RRP: $97 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Roast duck, wild mushrooms, venison, roast chicken, grilled quail and aged cheeses