Muddy Water Slowhand Pinot Noir
The Slowhand block was the first to be planted to vine at Muddy Water and embodies the founding ethos of the estate: that the vines be carefully and meticulously tended by ‘slow hands’. The limestone-laced clay soil is conducive to making great Pinot Noir and is slightly denser on this block, restricting vine vigour and lengthening ripening time to develop distinct structure and texture. Because the block is on flatter ground the drainage is not as good and the vines get less sun than the hillside blocks – so Slowhand is only made in years when the weather is suitably dry and sunny to ensure a perfect crop. Muddy Water Slowhand Pinot Noir is an iron fist in a velvet glove; it delivers great power yet is seamless and smooth. The late-ripening fruit is full of heady plum and blueberry characters, and the textural and length elements are exemplary – the feel of velvet and persistence is unrivalled.
