2020 Hochkirch Maximus Pinot Noir

WINEMAKER: Jennifer & John Nagorcka
REGION: Henty, VIC
VARIETAL: Pinot Noir
VITICULTURE: Certified Biodynamic

"This is the best Pinot Noir that John can produce each year at Hochkirch, some years it is not made. These are the oldest vines and the best barrels. This wine always has a sensual, elegant mouthfeel but with outstanding retention of acidity and freshness and a distinctive earthy, sappy complexity which is the terroir. Pure, long and complex this will age well, the wine's terrific stony lift on the finish gives it nice definition. This 2020 comes in at 13% alc and is one of the best he has made yet." - Andrew Guard

John Nagorcka began the development of Hochkirch in 1990 with a small planting using conventional Australian viticultural practices and varietal selection. The approach subsequently used was radically modified in response to the very cool climate with growing season temperatures similar to Burgundy.

A high density planting pattern was implemented, with a low fruiting wire to take advantage of soil warmth in the growing season, and the focus was placed on Pinot Noir (4.5 hectares), with lesser quantities of Riesling (1.5 hectares), Cabernet Sauvignon (one hectare), Semillon and Shiraz (0.5 hectares each). The vines are not irrigated and no synthetic fungicides, pesticides or fertilizers are used; currently the Nagorcka’s are certified bio-dynamic by Demeter.

Hochkirch vineyard lies on a north facing slope 250 m. above sea level along an elevated plateau running southwest from Dunkeld at the foot of the Grampians in far south west Victoria. Terrain is gently undulating with the Grampians commanding attention to the north. All vines are on own roots with no rootstocks at all used in the vineyard.