Spring Seed Aster Pinot Noir 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Light, Bright & Chillable

A fresh, light-medium bodied organic Pinot Noir from Spring Seed Wine Co in McLaren Vale, made for relaxed lunches, lighter dinners and a gentle chill on warm days. It shows fresh strawberries, raspberry, cherry, plum and a hint of herbs, with light tannins and enough brightness to keep the palate lively. Think of it as Pinot Noir with a Beaujolais-like ease: red-fruited, pretty and quietly savoury.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Spring Seed Wine Co — the Bosworth family’s certified organic McLaren Vale range
• Fresh strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, red fruits and a hint of herbs
• Pinot Noir from McLaren Vale, South Australia, grown on the family’s certified organic vineyard
• Rated 3 stars by The Real Review and ranked in its 2024 South Australian Pinot Noir listings
• 14.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

Fresh strawberry and raspberry lead the aromatics, with cherry, plum and a light herbal note adding extra detail. The palate is dry and light-medium bodied, with cherry and plum fruit, gentle tannins and a soft, bright finish. It is a lighter, luncheon-style Pinot Noir rather than a dense, brooding red, and it drinks beautifully with a short chill.

Winemaking

Aster is made as Spring Seed’s light luncheon red in a Beaujolais-inspired style. Around a third of the grapes are hand-picked and fermented inside sealed plastic bags placed in wooden apple crates, creating an anaerobic fermentation that helps soften tannins and preserve bright red fruit. The wine spends around six months in older oak barrels and is bottled before the end of the year it was made, keeping the style fresh and fragrant.

Vineyard & Vintage

Spring Seed wines are made from grapes grown in the Bosworth family’s certified organic vineyard in McLaren Vale, South Australia. The vineyard was established in the early 1970s by Peter and Anthea Bosworth, and Joch Bosworth began converting it to organic viticulture in 1995. The vines are fully certified A-grade organic by Australian Certified Organic. The 2024 Aster Pinot Noir is 14.0% ABV, dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL.

Why We Love It

This is Pinot Noir for lunches, picnics, duck pancakes and relaxed red-wine drinking. The strawberry, cherry and plum fruit makes it instantly appealing, while the gentle tannins and light herbal note keep it fresh enough for food. It is certified organic, vegan suitable and a lovely option when you want red wine that can handle a light chill.

Food Pairing

With strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, gentle tannins and a herbal edge, this Pinot Noir suits lighter savoury dishes rather than heavy, tannic red-wine food. It is lovely with duck, mushrooms, roast chicken, salmon, pork, soft cheeses and dishes with hoisin or five-spice.

Try matching this wine with →

• Duck pancakes with hoisin and cucumber — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom and thyme tart — Find a Recipe
• Roast chicken with herbs and garlic — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it slightly cool for long lunches, Sunday roast chicken, duck pancakes, mushroom tart or a casual red when Shiraz would be too much. It is light, pretty and quietly charming without being flimsy.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2028 for the freshest strawberry, cherry, plum and herbal detail. This wine is made for brightness and early enjoyment rather than long cellaring. Store it cool and dark, and chill for around 20–30 minutes before serving on warmer days.

Producer

Spring Seed Wine Co is part of the Bosworth family’s McLaren Vale wine story, based at 92 Gaffney Road in Willunga. The family vineyard was established in the early 1970s by Peter and Anthea Bosworth, and is now run by their son Joch Bosworth and partner Louise Hemsley-Smith. Joch began converting the vineyard to organic viticulture in 1995, and the vines have been certified organic since 1999. Spring Seed’s labels are inspired by vintage flower seed packets, reflecting the brand’s bright, approachable and organically grown style.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy lighter organic reds with red fruit, softness and gentle spice, these are smart bottles to explore next:

• Cool-climate organic Pinot Noir with cherry and silky tannins — See Saw Organic Pinot Noir
• Preservative-free Pinot Noir with strawberry, cherry and clove — Raw Vine Preservative Free Pinot Noir
• Same producer, organic Shiraz with blackberry, plum and spice — Spring Seed Scarlet Runner Shiraz

FAQ

What does Spring Seed Aster Pinot Noir 2024 taste like?

It tastes fresh, red-fruited and lightly savoury, with strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum and a hint of herbs. The palate is dry and light-medium bodied, with gentle tannins and a bright finish. It is a softer, more lunch-friendly Pinot Noir style.

Is this Pinot Noir dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It is light-medium bodied rather than full-bodied. The strawberry and cherry fruit gives brightness, but the wine is not sweet.

What are the tannins and acidity like?

The tannins are light and gentle, helped by the wine’s Beaujolais-inspired fermentation approach. Acidity is medium and fresh, keeping the red fruit lively. The balance makes it a good Pinot Noir for lighter foods and slightly chilled serving.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a certified organic Pinot Noir, not a No Added Preservative wine. It may contain sulphites, as most wines do, and organic wines are made to lower allowable sulphur limits than conventional wines. It is certified organic and vegan suitable.

How should I serve Spring Seed Aster Pinot Noir?

Serve at around 14–16°C in a medium red wine glass. On warm days, chill the bottle for 20–30 minutes, then let it sit briefly before pouring. No decanting is needed, although a little air in the glass will open the strawberry and cherry aromatics.

What food pairs well with this wine?

It pairs beautifully with duck pancakes, roast chicken, mushroom tart, grilled salmon, pork, soft cheeses and charcuterie. The gentle tannins suit lighter proteins and earthy vegetarian dishes. For a vegetarian match, try mushroom and thyme tart or roast vegetable galette.

Can this Pinot Noir be cellared?

It can be held short-term, but it is at its best while bright, fruity and fragrant. Drink now to 2028 for the freshest strawberry, cherry, plum and herbal notes. Store it in a cool, dark place away from heat.

Is Spring Seed Aster Pinot Noir vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and made from the Bosworth family’s McLaren Vale vineyard. It is a strong choice for drinkers who want a lighter organic red with charm and easy food appeal.

Who will enjoy this Pinot Noir the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy lighter reds with red fruit, soft tannins and a gentle herbal note. If you like Pinot Noir, lighter Grenache, chilled reds or Beaujolais-style reds, this will suit you well. It is much softer and brighter than a full-bodied Shiraz.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry, low-sugar red wine with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It can suit many keto-conscious drinkers looking for an organic red. Alcohol still contributes calories, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your broader plan.

(SKU: SS_PNO_CV)