Pinot Noir

** Available for delivery from End July 2022 ** 

98-99 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet smoulders with an intoxicating mix of autumnal fruits, spiced plum, sour cherries, rose petal, bergamot, blood orange and the full array of Asian spice. Light soy (soy, soused plum), liquorice stick and rehydrated porcini mushroom provide savoury intrigue along with an obvious saltiness - the marine lift is unmissable.  The palate feel is ample and enveloping – wonderfully seamless and surprisingly elegant. The tannins melt into a sumptuous core of fruit – black raspberry liquor too. The acidity is pitched perfectly – blood orange sorbet (almost effervescent – you’ll see). The finish is incredibly long and carries on for minute after minute.  In my experience, there are a handful of Pinot Noirs that offer such striking individuality – a nonconformist, but far from being wacky, and just for the sake of being ‘different.’  This wine is a striking demonstration of how far Pinot Noir can be pushed – it feels dark, brooding and mysterious. The complexity is entrancing. A very special experience and wine. Drink now to 2030+. Decant for 1-2 hours. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

These bottles represent the pinnacle of our rather impressive range. We have personally scored every bottle in this case at least 97 points so we’re confident that you will be beyond impressed with every one of these six different Pinot Noirs. This is a great starting point for tasting the sky high quality of Pinot Noir currently being produced by our talented Australian winemakers. Our own tasting notes for each of the wines in the case can be found below and they provide the perfect description of each wine.

• 1 x Ghost Rock Bonadale 2cl Pinot Noir 2018 (97++ Points)
• 1 x Wantirna Lily Pinot Noir 2019 (97-98 Points)
• 1 x Mulline Sutherlands Creek Pinot Noir 2019 (97++ / 98 Points)
• 1 x Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir 2017 (97 Points)
• 1 x Soumah Equilibrio Pinot Noir 2019 (97-98 Points)
• 1 x JC's Own Morialta Pinot Noir 2019 (97+ Points)

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Welcome back my dear friend – you have been missed. The bouquet is Christmas in a glass – sweet and sour cherry, a little game peering through, cinnamon stick, cedar, orange peel and blood orange sorbet. Delectable, in a word. The palate mirrors the bouquet with the addition of pomegranate and cooling, spiced red-fruits (there’s a crunch to them – cranberry in particular). Etched to perfection and I believe this overdelivers (as it has done every vintage). A little frisky due to the sorbet-like feel, which is just a joy and unmistakable. I detect graphite and dried mint on the long finish. Beguiling it is not however, and given its price tag, this overdelivers on flavour, personality and character. It’s an effortless bottling of delicious, well-priced Pinot Noir. I love it. Drink now to 2026. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Welcome back my dear friend – you have been missed. The bouquet is Christmas in a glass – sweet and sour cherry, a little game peering through, cinnamon stick, cedar, orange peel and blood orange sorbet. Delectable, in a word. The palate mirrors the bouquet with the addition of pomegranate and cooling, spiced red-fruits (there’s a crunch to them – cranberry in particular). Etched to perfection and I believe this overdelivers (as it has done every vintage). A little frisky due to the sorbet-like feel, which is just a joy and unmistakable. I detect graphite and dried mint on the long finish. Beguiling it is not however, and given its price tag, this overdelivers on flavour, personality and character. It’s an effortless bottling of delicious, well-priced Pinot Noir. I love it. Drink now to 2026. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

94 Points - James Halliday "Hand-picked fruit, 25% whole bunches, wild-yeast fermented in open-top vats. Total 8 days on skins, mlf and 8 months in oak (half in 2nd-use French oak and half in older French barriques). Enticing solid red colour. Delicious red berry scents, dried flowers, violet, wild herbs. A tight, focused young pinot that is approachable now in its pristine prettiness but really warrants extra time. Juicy palate, fleshy ripe tannins complete a wine still developing."

94 Points - James Halliday "Hand-picked fruit, 25% whole bunches, wild-yeast fermented in open-top vats. Total 8 days on skins, mlf and 8 months in oak (half in 2nd-use French oak and half in older French barriques). Enticing solid red colour. Delicious red berry scents, dried flowers, violet, wild herbs. A tight, focused young pinot that is approachable now in its pristine prettiness but really warrants extra time. Juicy palate, fleshy ripe tannins complete a wine still developing."

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Another wine which has come-on leaps and bounds since last year. The wine opens to Morello cherry, raspberry (almost Bakewell tart) – the fruit feels mineral driven and incredibly fresh. With time, the wine feels a touch brooding – dark fruits turning to jasmine tea and onto fresh sage leaf. The palate feels poised – the acidity working in harmony with the ripe, red and black fruits. Unlike two of Pat’s Chardonnays, this feels understated but charming, nonetheless. Give it a few years and allow it to open its arms. The length is triumphant and tingles with a little spice and sorbet-esque frisk. Those who cellar for 5-years will be rewarded with a very, very good bottle of Pinot Noir for twenty quid. One of my top tips of 2021… Drink now to 2027/28. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

Jaysen Collins - "I spent a few years living in the eastern foothills of Adelaide and would regularly grab a beer at the pub at the top of the hill, watching the sunset move across the city to the coast. I used to pass a newish vineyard on the way there, but never gave it much notice. Now twenty years later, after seeking out a new pinot vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, I found myself back at the same pub after sampling or picking grapes at this vineyard. A little full circle moment for me.

Leading up to harvest, I had been ruminating on a style of medium bodied pinot that reflected the vivid intensity the sun gives shimmering off the ocean. I always chase brightness in wines, so high altitude fruit suits this as a start – box ticked. I had imported a few concrete fermenters for the clarity and energy they give to Grenache. As Grenache ripens after pinot, i had a chance to ferment this wine in cement, to see if it would give the same vitality. The style is pretty much as I intended - is it the vineyard, is it the fermenter – a bit of both? Pull a cork and decide for yourself."

97++ Points - Stuart McCloskey “The perfume blooms with a heady mix of sous bois, sour cherry, warm earth, mushroom and spice – rich and savoury delivered in equal proportions. The palate is silky, incredibly expansive with perfectly pitched acidity. It is bright, fresh, lifted, fine-boned, spicy, deeply complex and bursting with energy. The length is incredible, it goes on and on and ultimately finishes with iron notes and a smidgeon of rose petal and orange rind. Such is the hands-off approach; this wine is driven by terroir and the vintage. Super classical and very Burgundian without any attempts to emulate.  Perhaps, one of the most ‘Burgundian’ styles to emerge from Australia, and certainly one of the most intellectual. Clearly, Owen Latta is a talented winemaker and despite his youthful age, he is one of Australia’s most talented, praise shared by serious wine critics… This is outstanding and will continue to evolve for a further 8-10 years. Decant for 1-2 hours. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

Jaysen Collins - "I spent a few years living in the eastern foothills of Adelaide and would regularly grab a beer at the pub at the top of the hill, watching the sunset move across the city to the coast. I used to pass a newish vineyard on the way there, but never gave it much notice. Now twenty years later, after seeking out a new pinot vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, I found myself back at the same pub after sampling or picking grapes at this vineyard. A little full circle moment for me.

Leading up to harvest, I had been ruminating on a style of medium bodied pinot that reflected the vivid intensity the sun gives shimmering off the ocean. I always chase brightness in wines, so high altitude fruit suits this as a start – box ticked. I had imported a few concrete fermenters for the clarity and energy they give to Grenache. As Grenache ripens after pinot, i had a chance to ferment this wine in cement, to see if it would give the same vitality. The style is pretty much as I intended - is it the vineyard, is it the fermenter – a bit of both? Pull a cork and decide for yourself."

97-98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is a captivating mélange of wild berries, raspberries, wild strawberry, rose petal, orange rind with subtle and savoury nuances developing in the background. The tannins are silken and gently clutch to the fruit which glide effortlessly across the palate. Wild berry flavours fan out with a positive undercurrent of sorbet-like blood orange which I love. Clearly, Wantirna style centres on femininity, charm and a gracefulness without losing sight of the fruit or its place. Spectacularly harmonious with a long, mineral laced finished. Lily is just beginning her journey and will provide so much drinking pleasure over the coming 10-15 years. I am looking forward to resampling in a year or so. Decant for 1-2 hours and ideally serve using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

97-98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The most intense Pinot Noir of the trio. The dark fruit is lightly spiced and the most seductive of the trinity – sweet cherry and orange peel are unmistakable. The palate is incredibly fresh and juicy. I love the infusion of cranberry and redcurrant combined with the iron rich finish. Ripe and showing a more exotic side to Soumah’s winemaking. Lots of finesse and already showing bags of charm and character, but its glory years are yet to come. I am going to be harsh and award 97-98 points. It’s not there yet but I have no doubt it will be within 5-8 years”.

96-97 Points – Magdalena Sienkiewicz "This wine really opens up and expands when decanted, even one hour makes a difference. The aromas reveal wild, dark berries, juicy cherries and raspberry with a wonderful lift from rose petals and mint. There is a good dusting of sweet spice too along with pencil lead and gentle cedar notes. Pretty fruit opens the palate with a little citrus zing, juicy cranberries and a good bite of blood orange. The palate feel is generous, succulent and unforced. The finish is long and the tannins powdery. It’s delicious today, but I’m super curious to see how it develops over the next 5 years. Sampled using Zalto Burgundy glassware."

95 Points - Antonio Galloni "The 2015 Bodega (Freestone Occidental) is the deepest and richest of these wines but it has somehow achieved all of that intensity while retaining its translucent personality and feel. Lavender, violet, plum and an array of blue stone fruit flavors give the Bodega its distinctly dark profile. At the same time, the 2015 is endowed with remarkable aromatic freshness and nuance. The whole clusters are evident, but also beautifully woven into the wine's fabric."

95 Points - Jams Halliday "What a glorious wine enticing immediately starting with its heady aromas. Florals, humus, raspberries, cherries, bitter orange and no shortage of spices. It has a energy across the palate with a cooling menthol character and fine tannins. It seems at first delicate but it has plenty of definition."

Gary Walsh (The Wine Front) "Always interesting to taste Cooinda alongside Butcher’s Hill. Cherry, red fruits, spice, smoke, and herbal perfume. Medium bodied, strawberry with a tangy orange flavour, light but firm sandy tannin, sap and peel, lively acid profile, and bitter orange trailing on the long finish. Nervy kind of wine with quite a bit of energy."

Gary Walsh (The Wine Front) "Butcher’s Hill is the vineyard that has some limestone over sandstone, as opposed to Cooinda with the sandy loam over sandstone. Sandy Loam would be a nice name for someone, I think. Sweet dark raspberry and black cherry, exotic spices, subtle earthiness, dried roses. Medium-bodied, rich and silky tannin, a little sap and tang, but a core of plump red fruit with a distinct minerally thing going on, and a finish that’s bright and long, with some dried herb and peel seasoning. More perky, less deep this season, but shows the site to good effect."

The 2018 vintage was slightly warmer than the long-term average leading to rich and complex fruit coming from the Butcher’s Hill Vines. A layered nose of red plum, ripe cherry, black raspberry, charred wood, cedar spice and light smokey finish. A burst of freshness across the palate with wild raspberry and baking spice showing through, leading onto a light earthy note and fresh cracked pepper. An excellent tannin structure and balanced acid gives a long and rewarding finish.

95 Points - Antonio Galloni "The 2016 Pinot Noir Suerte Solomon Hills Vineyard is broad, ample and creamy, as the best wines off this site often are. A rush of blue/purplish berry fruit provides a real punch. Explosive and full of both energy and character, the Suerte has a lot to offer. It is also one of the more open, accessible wines in this range. Time in the glass brings out the wine's expansiveness nicely."

97++ / 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “So pure and wonderfully delicate. The bouquet is alluring with cinnamon stick, warmed earth, forest floor, sweet spice and violet – very Burgundian and Ben’s time with one of Burgundy’s great, Domaine Dujac is clearly on show. The tannins are super-fine, almost whispery. Wonderful transparency (there is no hiding with this style), sweet fruit and pangs of freshness. The fruit is spiced and feels exotic – a twist of black pepper to balance the sweetness. Harmonious and beautiful being the most accurate description. The finish is long and seamless. Wonderfully accessible but 4-6 years of bottle age will unlock the wine’s true complexity. A real triumph…”

98 Points - Gerard Basset OBE MW MS

Beautiful savoury nuances where delicate hints of umami complement minerally red and black fruit. Incredible complexity and amazing silky texture. For me (GB), this is the wine of the vintage, showing supreme elegance in all aspects. Extremely rarely do I give 99 or 100 points to very young wines, but I could easily have broken my own rule here. Exceptional!

97+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Another domestic sell out with only 576 bottles being produced. This is our second bottle in two days as it fascinated the hell out of us – bottle one was consumed throughout a day as the flavours developed (we forgot to write our notes if truth be known). I hate to say ‘this will suit a certain type of wine drinker’ as I feel this is disrespectful. However, and for the very first time (perhaps the ‘only’ occasion), this is a Pinot Noir for all lovers of bright, enthusiastic Grenache. The bouquet is epic and so different to most Aussie Pinot Noirs. Wild, savoury, lavender, sweetly spiced, dehydrated strawberry, dusty earth and orange peel. In short, the bouquet is heroic. The palate is savoury, incredibly satisfying, filled with juicy, spiced fruits juxtaposed with woody herbs. Overall, it is alive with waves of freshness – the sorbet-like blood orange finish is a dream. Ludicrously good and will convert non-Pinot Noir fans across to the dark side. Drink from now to 2030. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

97-98 Points – Magdalena Sienkiewicz "Beautifully scented with sweet raspberries and cherries, revealing riveting spice and delicately earthy complexities with aeration. An elegant whiff of rose petal and mint adds a wonderful lift. The palate is equally fine and elegant and simply melts away slowly after wrapping the taste buds in a luxuriously soft blanket of flavour. The purity and precision is highly impressive and the balance between fruit, acidity and svelte tannins is astounding. High class from the 1er Cru Pinot Noir is never surprising and yet, it always amazes me. Please decant, as this wine really shines when allowed the time. Clearly, it will continue to evolve for years to come. Sampled using Zalto Burgundy glassware on opening and again on the following day, when it showed even better."

97+ Stuart McCloskey “100% Pinot Noir. The bouquet is ripe, highly elegant and defined by orchard fruits underpinned with subtle baking spices and the slightest hint of marzipan. The palate oozes with the same sensual charm as the Pinot Gris – just with a touch more grip on the finish. There’s a generous core of orchard fruit, which reminds me of my neighbour. My home adjoins a large orchard, and this reminds me of my journey home after taking a long walk around the nature reserve – I would help myself to a dew-drenched apple that satisfies my thirst with a little puckering grip. The acidity is racy, it’s super bright with a little chalk / mineral finish. The finish is long and mouth-watering. Of course, very much an infant and will be divine over the decade to come. Simply, a beautiful creation. This may form a natural deposit. Stand upright for approx. 30 mins before pouring and pour the last glass carefully… Do not overchill. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

Stuart McCloskey “My first comment being that this is a very different style to the previous Avancé vintage. The fruit component both on the nose and palate provides pillowing cushions of voluptuousness. If served blind, the bouquet reminds me of a plush, high-quality Pinot Noir from Sonoma. The perfumes exudes blood orange (unmistakable), black raspberry, spiced infused red fruits with some darker depths coming from black plums, damsons infused with a saline solution. My glass is supercharged with lavender, more sweet spice and a kirsch-like character. Avancé is on steroids. Take a sip and wait for the galloping flavours to hit you – The intensity is off the scale for a wine of this value (and clearly why we have lost 60% of our allocation). This flows with exotic richness, but I must emphasis the lightness of touch, the freshness and the salinity which adds a layer of grown-up sophistication – this is far from clumsy. Succulent, moreish and drenched with unbelievable goodness. A little floral-pastille character provides more layers of complexity. This is a full-throttle Tassie Pinot Noir which is going to create, quite the stir. I did not expect this – I am shocked and brimming with a huge smile. Drink now to 2030. Served with Zalto Burgundy glassware (I failed to decant and look at the result)…”