Pinot Noir

The Bindi Dixon Pinot Noir is based upon declassified grapes from the Original Vineyard planted in 1988 and grapes from the new Block K, planted in 2001. The ideal of this wine is to produce a delicious, perfumed, spicy harmonious, textured wine that is not as intense, complex nor ageworthy as our individual vineyard wines. Even when the outstanding Block K vines are older we will continue to declassify sections or barrels from each vineyard and produce this wine. The wine is fermented the same way as our other Pinot Noirs in that it is ostensibly 100% de-stemmed and gently worked in small open vats. The wine spends 11 months in French...

Each vintage of Farrside pinot noir exhibits more masculinity, structure and savoury components, while deep meaty, spicy and mineral flavours also continue to evolve. A balanced array of red and black fruits, Farrside pinot noir is fresh and edgy with bucketloads of character. This is a firm yet delicate wine with a long-textured finish.

Farrside by Farr, Pinot Noir 2023 The evolution of this site and wine is complexing, gone are the days of words being used like bold, brash and muscular. Now two decades of releasing the wine, the description is fine, vibrate and ethereal. This wine has a retained nose for the moment, but the mouthfeel is almost jubilant in comparison. Even against the Sangreal, this feels plush and luxurious. A soft creamy and varietal ripeness, all swirling around to deliver lots of pleasure. It’s texturally generous and provides a nice counterpoint to the tight, edgy flavours of spice and pepper that is Farrside. Ben Knight.

Sit back and take in the aromas from a glass of this pinot as you think about sitting at the top of the vineyard surrounded by cows, water, grass and all things Western District. Sweat and sour cherries, earth, spice and a lovely elegant structure. The vineyard was planted by the Calvert family in 2001 to a mixture of clones on own roots. It is predominantly pinot noir with 6 acres and accompanied by 2 acres of chardonnay.   The vineyard sits at the top of the slope facing large water reserves ‘Salt Lake’ and the ‘Calvert Lough’ to the north. It is a site that shows great fruit expression with a deceptively long...

Sit back and take in the aromas from a glass of this pinot as you think about sitting at the top of the vineyard surrounded by cows, water, grass and all things Western District farming. Sweet and sour cherries, earth, spice and a lovely elegant structure.   The Irrewarra brand is a relatively young brand but with a now mature vineyard site planted in 2001 by the Calvert family of famed Irrewarra Sourdough Bakery. Inspired by time spent in Burgundy during the 1992 vintage Bronwyn and John decided to plant a dry farmed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir site. The Farr Family decided to make the site their own with the help of the Calvert's...

Located in Victoria’s Western District, about 150km south-west of Melbourne, Irrewarra is a distinctive vineyard surrounded by volcanic plains and inland lakes. Exposed to the elements, the site benefits from high natural rainfall, adding to its cool-climate charm. Planted by the Calvert family in 2001, the vineyard features 6 acres of Pinot Noir and 2 acres of Chardonnay, all on own roots. Positioned on a slope overlooking two large lakes, the site expresses remarkable varietal character and complexity. Now under the care of the Farr family, Nick Farr manages the vineyard with the same attention and dedication as his Geelong estate....

99 pts Huon Hooke(The Real Review)   Impressively deep, bright red-purple colour, in great shape for an Australian pinot of its age, then the bouquet arrives with a great complexity of smoked charcuterie, root vegetables, dark cherry and blackberry delivered with great intensity and volume. The concentration and depth are outstanding and it's all delivered with great elegance and refinement. The lightness of touch doesn't contradict the power or persistence. A spectacular pinot noir.  Drinking window  2024 – 2044.

The RP Pinot Noir (RP – Robyn Pamela) is in recognition of the matriarch. It is not only the support and goffering that Robyn has endured for Gary’s 40 year career. She has been in the vineyard and planted the first vines, driven the tractors, filled barrels and pigeaged at midnight. If we are ever a man down Robyn has always been the first one we have called to fill the void no matter the job, no matter the time of day. You can always count on mum.   The fruit for this wine is sourced from the Cote Vineyard as is the GC Chardonnay. A close planted / high density planting of Pinot Noir on a exposed cote. These hillsides...

Each year the same descriptive notes come to mind for this wine: seductive, perfumed, seamless balance and moreish. It is a site that wavers very little in more difficult vintages and excels in the great ones—this is the backbone of By Farr wines. The alluring characters of this vineyard, combined with red fruits, whole bunch, acidity and oak, have produced a beautifully interwoven expression of site and vintage. That’s what it’s all about.

Sangreal by Farr, Pinot Noir 2023 Sour cherry and cream. Green pepper, cornichon, dried citrus peel. Loads of brown spice like mace, cloves and even a waft of cardamom. Ripe plum, dark cherries, dried earth and a warmth, not from alcohol but generosity of flavour. The wine is so welcoming. I just had the smallest sip, and this wine just mushrooms out, that classic peacocks tail writ large across my palate. It’s so intense and complex. It has an acid level equal to its myriad layers, which just heightens the excitement of this wine. In my wine life I have tasted many wines, but no winery l can think of comes close to a house style as...

98 pts   Huon Hooke(The Real Review)   Deep and bright, youthful colour with lots of purple in the rim and great limpidity. The first aroma is of root vegetables, potato and parsnip, gradually giving way to rich ripe dark cherry that floods the palate with succulent sweet fruit flavour and beautifully balanced fine-grained tannins. The tannins provide a backbone and a counter-balance to all that opulent fruit. A totally impressive and convincing pinot noir. It has wow factor.  Drinking window  2024 – 2041. "Amazingly integrated at this early stage which is not a classic marker for this...

"With every year that passes, the Tout Pres vineyard’s subtleness and delicate fruit structure are becoming increasingly pronounced in the wine. The bouquet fills the glass with spicy fruit, mineral elements and a hint of integrated French oak, with the darkness and essence of the Moorabool Valley true expressions of site. This wine exhibits primary and secondary flavours, which strengthen the overall integration for a seamless finish. It is a tightly packed combination of plums and undergrowth with an edgy acidity—and one of our favourite drops." -  Wine by Farr.

Nick Ryan 96 points.  "This is a wine of whispered power, finely etched etched detail and sublimely subtle texture. Black cherries and dried strawberries, a rippling seam of baking spices, a beguiling bass line of sweet earthiness. It's the sinewy athleticism that really impresses here, the wine delivers plenty without getting paunchy. It's alert, energetic and rolls across the palate with effortless momentum. This is not Joy Division, but Joy Multiplied." NR. From the makers.... "DECADES is the culmination of a lifelong friendship and the realisation of hundreds of chats about making wine together....

"A bit of a chameleon here as it starts out deceptively light and fine. There are flutters of cherries and warm spices tempered by tangy cranberry juice–like acidity and fine sandy tannins, then the flavours build and its shape changes. It leaves a lasting impression. Compelling." Jane F Wine Companion 95/100

From Lou Primavera's 2001-planted vineyard at Woori Yallock; 25% whole bunches on the clone 115 component, while clones MV6 and G were destemmed. Matured in French barriques (25% new). Wonderfully perfumed and vibrant with its aromas of cranberries, wild strawberries, a little Sichuan pepper, fresh citrus oil and musk roses at dusk. A wine of exquisite finesse and excellent depth, the tannins are very fine and long, as is the finish. This will provide much enjoyment over the next decade or so. 97 points. Philip Rich -  Published 19 June 2023

"Brings cool-climate virtuosity to the glass with a pinot that is both wild in nature and elegant in purpose. Sour cherry, cranberry, dried leaves, briar and earthy scents are then mirrored on the palate, which is well defined by a sinewy, fine tannin presence. Clean and precise in delivery, with a cranberry-like tartness that gets the gastric juices in a whirl." Jenni Port Wine Companion 93/100   "Luminous, clear and clean. Amped up crunch yet still quiet and calm. Rock candy, mandarin orange and exotic spice. WIth neighbours like Giaconda and Savaterre - it echoes its sense of place with grace and focus." RR4WEA

MELBOURNE ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2022, James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir.   HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2024, 96 points. Pinot noir from the close-planted vines (8300 per hectare) at Lowestoft planted in 1986; matured in French oak (35% new) for 10 months. Pure red plum and dark cherry fruits strut their stuff here with hints of five-spice, sous bois, dried raspberry, cranberry, black tea and vanilla, with light roast game further in the distance. Savoury and true with excellent fruit depth and purity, chalky tannins providing support. I'd expect this to cellar admirably.     #FOGG     

MELBOURNE ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2023 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Most Outstanding Young Red James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir   ROYAL ADELAIDE WINE SHOW 2023 Best Pinot Noir of Show Trophy   AUSTRALIAN PINOT NOIR CHALLENGE 2023 Best Pinot Noir   HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2025, 98 POINTS. Boom! You'll probably have to scurry around to secure some bottles of this, as it won the coveted Jimmy Watson Trophy at the 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, but it is worth the hunt. It's a beautiful wine with a brilliant ruby hue in the glass and aromas of ripe dark cherry, dried cranberry and raspberry coulis...

  DAVE BROOKS, HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2024, 96 POINTS. "Made with 100% whole cluster, pressed directly to 500L French oak puncheons (15% new) for 13 months. There's a lot going on here – all of it good. Bright red cherry, red plum and raspberry pip tones with hints of cocoa powder, pomegranate, Chinese barbecue joint, amaro, souk-like spice, leaf litter, struck flint, XO sauce, shiitake broth and earth. Pure and spicy red fruits, fine, powdery tannins and a mineral-laden acidity that seems to pull the flavours forward on the palate, finishing long, savoury and true with everything plumb and tickety boo. Just...

  Gold medal, Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2921. Small parcels were hand-picked from our prestigious vineyards in the Lower Derwent and fermented separately in open top fermenters with 25% whole bunch fruit. Gentle hand plunging and occasional pump-overs produced bright concentrated colour and lifted perfume. Matured individually in large format French oak (30% new) for 10 months prior to blending and bottling with minimal fining and filtration. COLOUR Lucid crimson in the glass. AROMA Bright and fluid. A delicate nose of cranberry, bright strawberry and brambly undertones. PALATE Layered whole bunch spice drives the palate, with ripe,...

HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2025 Single-site pinot noir from the Glengarry vineyard to the north-west of Launceston. An airy ruby in the glass. There's great detail and clarity in this wine. A translucent curtain of raspberry, red cherry and cranberry fruits offers glimpses of other characters behind. Souk-like spice and amaro herbs, wildflowers, Chinese barbecue tones, ginger tea, softly spoken oak, pomegranate, mushroom broth and gamey meats. It shows a wonderful sense of space and composure with lacy, mineral acidity providing luminensence, form and cadence, gliding savoury and true to its destination. 97 points.   #FOGG

Australia’s oldest Pinot Noir vineyard, planted in 1921 by Maurice O’Shea. The vines from this block have given the Australian Wine Industry the famed MV6 clone which is now planted throughout the greatest Pinot Noir grape-growing regions in Australia.   Still producing today, these vines are carefully tended and provide wines of structure and power.   Widely accepted as Australia's 'mothervine' vineyard, from which the extensively planted MV6 pinot noir clone was sourced, this site was planted in 1921 by Maurice O'Shea. The vineyard traces its origins to cuttings brought to Australia by James...

A blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Pinot Noir. Small production. Big heart. 95 points - Mike Bennie The Wine Front "Cor blimey, this is a wine! Such beautiful texture, vibrancy, shimmering cherry juice and cranberry tang, layers of spice, herb, a bristling line of acidity and such fine and shape-giving tannins. It’s one of those wines that feels beautiful let alone tastes delicious. Lighter weight style with all the structure. Super stuff here." Halliday Wine Companion, 95 points. The tension between tannin, acidity, savoury nuances and fruit is high. It feels as though all the components here are sitting straight and alert....

This wine has been handled with kid gloves: hand picked and destemmed, 10% retained as whole bunches. Held in cold soak for three days, open fermented with thrice daily plunging; eight days on skins, then matured in French puncheons for eight months. The colour is excellent, and the abundant red fruits and superfine tannins are as good as they come. A new Hunter Valley style that challenges the idea that the Hunter is too hot for pinot noir. 95 points. James Halliday Published 14 February 2023. This rare wine is produced from the original pinot noir vines brought to Australia by James Busby.in 1833. 

JH 90. WINERY NOTE: It all starts with the vineyard, paying careful attention to pruning and the health of the vines. Cool climate vineyards enable the vines to produce rich flavours and characters over a longer growing season. Our Pinots have never been shy in colour and the 2018 vintage is no exception - gorgeous crimson red with a hint of purple. Aromas of cranberry, lavender, violet and herbs. The plate is supple with soft tannins, leading to a long, lingering finish. Closure: Screw Cap Perfect with cold tea smoked duck!

2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show.....Wine of Show / Best Red Wine / Best Pinot Noir / GOLD. "From '98 plantings of MV6 at Gladysdale; 30% whole bunches. Matured in 300L and 500L casks (less than 10% new). Pretty and delicate with its aromas of alpine strawberries, rose petal and spice. More depth than the '21. Impeccably balanced and light on its feet, fine grained and ever so gently chewy tannins round out a wine that's approachable now but will keep. 95 points." Philip Rich Published 20 February 2024  

Whole berry/bunch open fermentation for 3 weeks; matured for 10 months in French oak. The Willowlake vineyard is one of the first to venture to the Upper Yarra. Balance is the key word for this beautiful pinot, the red cherry/berry fragrance is mirrored by the palate, where delicate but clear savoury notes of spice are woven through the red fruit palate and aftertaste. 97 points. James Halliday Published 20 November 2022.   Halliday Wine Companion - 97pts “Trophy winner for the Best Yarra Valley Pinot at the 2023 Australian Pinot Challenge. A bright, medium crimson red. A glorious and pure bouquet redolent with red and black...

From a small parcel of MV6 in the Henk vineyard at Woori Yallock. Approximately 25% whole bunches. Matured in both 300L and 500L casks (less than 10% new). Tiny bunches in 2022, which has resulted in a wine with both power and finesse. Great colour. Subtle spice, florals and forest floor fruits precede a beautifully textured and delineated palate. 98 points. Philip Rich Published 07 August 2024

Gold Medal, Yarra Valley Wine Show 2024. Radiant crimson red with ruby hues. Deep aromas of mulberry and boysenberry present immediate charm together with an assortment of baking spices including cinnamon and five spice. Blueberry pancakes make an appearance, as do the aromas of a forest floor on a crisp Autumn morning. Complexity is key here. On the palate, a soft entry incorporating generous blue and black fruit flavours suggests a wine of power, yet paradoxically the wine delivers on a medium bodied frame of perfect weight. Flavours of maraschino cherry and blueberry pie come to mind, all delivered with satin-like texture that drives the...

The Oakridge 2023 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir has an immediate explosion of fruit aromas on the nose, with dark cherry, blackberry and pomegranate with elements of spice and toast adding complexity. The palate displays a lush and layered density of fruit with dark cherry and red berry flavours with plush fruit tannins woven in adding complexity. There is a soft yet bright acid line providing drive and length to wine before the classic fantail finish of a great Yarra Pinot Noir.

Coal River Valley-sourced pinot noir. Dark red in the glass with aromas of black cherry and dark plum dotted with spices, Chinese roast duck, mushroom broth, rhubarb, leaf litter, dried herbs and soy. Lovely ripe cherry fruits on the palate with a nice sapid line of minerally acidity hitting all the right notes of fruit tension, gamey complexity and effortless drinkability. Geez, it's easy to pour another glass of this. 94 points. Dave Brookes Published 02 August 2023   #FOGG

"Coal River Valley pinot noir made by Samantha Connew. A very pretty bright ruby in the glass with aromas of amaro and blossom-flecked red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry fruits underscored with hints of spice, Peking duck, leaf litter, dried citrus rind, struck flint and earth. It smells gorgeous, and the palate follows up with smallgoods and undergrowth and mountain herb tones, finishing long with detail, sapid acidity and powdery tannins – it's a wonderful release. If you're ever down Tassie way, make sure you check out the new Pressing Matters cellar door too. It's a beauty. 96 points." Dave Brookes ...

Wild-yeast fermentation, aged in 25% new 500L French puncheons. An attractive light ruby red. Elegant and perfumed, this opens with aromas of wild strawberries, redcurrants, blood orange and floral notes. Poised and silky in the mouth, this really is quite persistent and beautifully balanced. A very good effort from go to whoa. Will be even better two to three years from now. 96 points. Philip Rich Wine Companion Published 06 July 2023   WINERY NOTE: The concept behind our Equilibrio range is to promote the very best barrels, clonal mix and new oak integration to create a wine that will benchmark the potential of each vintage. Some...

Three clones (MV6, 115, D4V2) go into this single-vineyard blend. Matured in 20% new 500L French puncheons. A light, bright crimson. Fragrant with aromas of ripe strawberries, freshly picked cherries, a little rose petal and spice. This builds nicely on the medium-bodied palate before finishing with balanced, gently grippy yet silky tannins. Nicely done. 93 points. Philip Rich Published 27 November 2023

  GOLD MEDAL, SYDNEY ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2024 GOLD MEDAL, ROYAL QUEENSLAND WINE AWARDS 2024   KEN GARGETT, WINE PILOT 2024, 94 points. "There is something rather nifty about looking at a wine, making assessments and doing the review, only then to discover that the price is way below what you would have assumed for the wine. This is very much one of those wines. Absolutely cracking value. I really did have to check twice to make sure I had it right. Pale garnet in colour, there are spices, florals, violets, cherries and cranberries all evident on the nose. A silky texture throughout, this is a most...

From the Six Js vineyard in Steels Creek and planted in 1992. A superb bright, light crimson. Brian Conway has a way with gamay, and it shows in this vibrant wine. Lifted with its notes of freshly picked raspberries and cranberries that sit alongside some crushed pink peppercorns and dried mountain herbs. The palate is delicious with silky tannins rounding out a wine that can be served and enjoyed anywhere from 13–16 degrees, depending on the weather. 95 points. Philip Rich Published 19 November 2024.

From the Six Js vineyard in Steels Creek planted in '92. A light, bright crimson purple. Gently reticent at first before revealing piquant aromas of red cherries, delicate spice and potpourri. Persistent and nicely structured on the tensile, refreshing palate. I can see this opening up and becoming more complex over the next 12–24 months. 94 pointrs. Philip Rich Published 13 February 2025

From a single vineyard in Steels Creek and made solely from their plantings of clone G5V15. A lively, bright crimson, and this really hits the spot. Red and black fruits coalesce with aromas of lightly crushed violets and a touch of blood orange. The medium-bodied palate is pure fruited, persistent and wrapped inside crunchy and energetic tannins. It's delicious now but it would be a shame not to have a few bottles to open in 5–8 years. 96 points. Philip Rich Published 13 February 2025

From a single vineyard in Steels Creek planted in '92. Another excellent wine from this under-the-radar producer. A light, bright crimson. Fragrant from the first whiff. Aromas of red cherries, pomegranate, incense and floral notes precede the energetic and really nicely balanced palate. A joy to drink now and over the next 4–6 years. 95 points. Philip Rich Published 13 February 2025.