d’Arenberg, Adelaide Hills (Australia) Pinot Noir 2011

Thankfully, this wine doesn’t smell like a feral fox, which was named after as an homage to the local creatures who once managed the local rabbit population but now act as crop thinners, having developed a taste for Pinot Noir clusters.  The wine’s style is as surprising as its name, showing a very delicate profile marked by red fruit notes, very fine-grained tannins, and quite restrained oak.  It proves much more expressive after aeration, so be sure to decant this vigorously before serving.