Patient Wolf Pinot Noir Gin

Pinot Noir grapes from 6Ft6, a second-generation family winery in the Moorabool Valley near Geelong, are blended with Patient Wolf's Melbourne Dry GinDry ginGin with no perceptible sweetness: in the European Union, the word "dry" allows at most 0.1 g of sugar per litre.GlossarySee Dry gin gins in this Pinot Noir Gin. The collaboration between two independent Victorian producers began in 2021, and each year the Patient Wolf team goes out to the valley at vintage to pick the grapes. It is bottled at 33% ABV in a 700 ml bottle.

Woody · Spicy · Fruity

For the current vintage, the grapes were picked in late March and steeped for just over six weeks before a light press. The result is bright in both colour and flavour. The nose is deeply perfumed, with rich layers of cherry, strawberry, plum and a hint of cacao.

On the palate, juicy red fruit is carried by silky tannins from the grape skins, while the Melbourne Dry Gin base, with its juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary, coriander, aniseed myrtle, orris, angelica, cardamom, cubeb pepperCubebIndonesian tailed pepper: hot and resinous, with a hint of pine and citrus that extends the juniper.Glossary and tonka bean, gives the fruit a spiced, dry backbone. Each year's gin reflects that year's grapes. 6Ft6 grows its Pinot Noir in the cool climate of the Moorabool Valley, which gives the grapes their bright acidity.

At 33%, it is a gentle, fruit-forward spirit suited to long drinks and aperitifs. It makes a fine spritz with sparkling wine, a fruity twist on a NegroniNegroniAn Italian cocktail of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and red bitter (Campari), served over ice with orange peel. Born in Florence in 1919.Glossary, or a simple glass over ice where the cherry and plum come forward. It also pairs well with charcuterie and soft cheeses.

For a gin and tonic, pour 4 cl of Pinot Noir Gin over ice, add 10 cl of chilled Thomas Henry Pink Grapefruit and stir gently. Garnish with a few dark grapes and an orange twistTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary. The grapefruit lifts the red fruit, and the grapes link the glass to the vineyard.