Riposte The Dagger Pinot Noir 2024 showcases the quintessential character of Adelaide Hills terroir through meticulously selected vineyard parcels. The nose presents alluring dark cherry aromatics complemented by nuanced spice elements, while the palate delivers refined berry fruits balanced by crisp acidity and elegant, persistent tannin structure. A sophisticated expression of youthful Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir craftsmanship.
95 Points & Gold - Australian and New Zealand Boutique Wine Awards 2024
"Sweetly ripe and immediately appealing, the bouquet shows dark cherry, olive, clove and toasted nut aromas with a lovely floral overtone. It's pristine and juicy in the mouth with finely flowing mouthfeel and layers of polished tannins, making it structured and silky at once. Beautifully composed and fabulously drinkable.At its best: now to 2031."
93 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
"We have had scimitars, stilettos and katanas, even a cutlass. Now daggers and sabres. A fine Pinot Noir from the Adelaide Hills, the colour here is a bright crimson. The nose exhibits delightful notes of red fruits, chinotto, a hint of tomato bush and a lovely cherry cola character. This is sleek in every way with bright acidity and fine balance. An elegant, stylish Pinot with a lingering finish, this will provide pleasure for five to six years, but is really drinking nicely at the moment."
92 Points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
"This multi-clonal set, from vineyards in the Hills region northern sector offers a decent degree of complexity at a Pinot entry point. Mostly whole berries and no oak set the style parameters, which is clearly as a youthful, bright and fresh expression of the variety. And yep, that’s exactly how The Dagger strikes: aromatic, spicy, and a twist of herb – between thyme and mint – which seasons the red berry juiciness that follows. A very easy, light to midweight style that suits Spring and Summer refreshment. You might also dwell a little longer, shake the wine around in a jug, and take in a bit of peppery spice and a fine dusting of tannin. Bright, spicy and pleasing."
91 Points - Tony Love, The Wine Pilot
"The Dagger Pinot offers a more accessible, easy going counterpoint to its elegant Pinot sibling, The Sabre. Everything is turned up a little louder; the spice, the oak, the sweet fruit. Deep red-purple hues. It’s quite loose knit in style, sweet fruited with spice and added interest from some savoury elements. Red liquorice, spice, plum, woodsy spiced oak offer quite a full and busy flavour running smooth with an added layer of herbals, rhubarb and undergrowth. Definitely plenty of flavour to be enjoyed."
90 Points - Jeni Port, The Wine Pilot
