This is what we love about Mornington pinot: succulent red cherries, juicy wild strawberries, the complexity of dried oregano, all wrapped neatly in silky fine tannins. It’s tangy, fruit-driven and wonderfully seductive. It will live a few years, but why wait? $46 at World Wine.

read

Brian Croser’s unique site on the Fleurieu peninsula has awaited the right moment to finally confirm its true calibre. With sufficient vine age to support a confident and age-worthy pinot, the great 2012 vintage was finally that moment. A lifted and fragrant nose of violets, red cherries, cherry kernel and hints of anise is a […]

read

I’m often taken aback by the impact of new oak in great young Burgundies, but think little of it as the wines will find their balance in the fullness of time. The overt oak presence extracted from just 25% new oak took me by surprise here. But in the context of longevity, perhaps it should […]

read

Focused, tight, mineral tannins and impressive persistence define the finest seasons in the great Lusatia Park vineyard in the Upper Yarra, and this is an impressive vintage that promise a long life. Pretty morello cherries, crunchy red berry fruits, rose petals and tangy strawberry hull sing of the elegance that is PHI, accented with vibrant, […]

read

Steve Lubiana believes this to be among his best Estate Pinots yet, and with yields one-third below average, he has no ulterior motive to talk it up. The wine speaks for itself, a silky, seamless, effortless, elegant and immediately alluring vintage for Lubiana. A gorgeous core of red cherry and strawberry fruit is overlaid with […]

read

The low yielding 2011 vintage heightened flavour and tannin ripeness, prompting a higher level of whole bunch inclusion and extended natural fermentation and the result is impressive. It leads out with a pretty and complex nose of rose hip, beetroot, black cherries and pink pepper. The palate is built on a core of intense, focused […]

read

At just 13.8%, Tuerong is the deepest and richest of Montalto’s 2012 pinots, yet still very much a refined and graceful Mornington pinot. Red cherry fruits, violet perfume and berry compote are encased in tightly structured French oak, polished, crafted and impeccably executed. Tannins are fine and confident and acidity is tangy and refreshing, conspiring […]

read

A silky, polished gleam defines Montalto’s 2012 pinots, lifted here with rose bud perfume and layers of pristine red cherries, strawberries and nuances of pink pepper. Low alcohol (13.1%) and tangy acidity define an elegant and pretty style of softly silky yet well-defined tannins. One of the greats from Montalto. Best price direct.

read

Another great release for Ashton Hills, defining the pinnacle for South Australian pinot noir, this is a coherent, effortless, seamless assemblage that showcases beautifully defined cherry and berry fruits, dissolving 50% new oak in a finely textured and refined style. Impressive depth of black cherry and strawberry fruit contrasts crunchy rose hip definition and layers […]

read

As always, the Yarra presents the most graceful persona of the Downie set, and its allure in 2013 makes it my pick of the trilogy. This is a pinot noir that elegantly harmonises pretty rose petal lift, red cherry, wild strawberry and red berry fruits with seamless texture and finely structured mouth feel, articulating the […]

read