Description
Hurley Vineyard wraps north to east around the crest of a little volcanic hill in Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsula of Victoria, Australia. Kevin Bell and Tricia Byrnes are immersed in the task of showcasing what their 3 differing single vineyard plots or climats can express. Burgundy clearly inspired them to this endeavour, not to mimic the wines from the Cote d’Or in terms of taste but the ethos of single site expressions, terrior driven wines. Planted in 1998 and 1999 the estate has 3.43 hectares of Pinot Noir across 3 clearly defined climats: Lodestone, Hommage and Garamond.
Kevin says: “Our principles are: organic viticulture, non-irrigation, low yields and true expression of the terroir of a vineyard and the individual climats within a vineyard”.
Hurley Vineyard’s position receives abundant sunshine and free-moving air, yet is well-protected from strong winds by 100 year old pine trees and the surrounding topography. The hill is capped by stony, red-brown earth. This ‘Older Volcanic’ soil type is quick to warm and slow to cool, and retains moisture and drains freely.
Winemaking consists of hand-picked fruit arriving to the winery where grapes are cooled overnight before 100% destemmed whole berries (no whole-bunch) go into 2 ton open top fermenters. Pre-ferment maceration cold soak of approximately one week before fermentation with natural yeasts. Pieage twice a day then post ferment maceration 5 to 7 days vintage dependent. Gravity fed into a basket press then into barrel for aging. Kevin and Tricia are passionately committed to one cooper, Sirugue, based in Nuit St George. Kevin highlights that he loves the fact the staves are air-dried for a minimum of 4 years before they are used for the barrels, giving the wood time to season and low toasting. 1/4 to 1/3 new oak for the elevage of each wine, 20 months approx total aging, no racking at any stage until bottling and under gravity.
About this wine: The Garamond vineyard is east facing and the last to be picked each year. It’s the coolest site given its exposure and is protected from the prevailing winds from SW and West coming across the valley behind the estate. Kevin is passionate about the importance of picking parcel by parcel across this vineyard, despite the vineyard only being 1.2 hectares in size. All planted with MV6 Clone. The name honours the artisanal ethic of Renaissance typographer Claude Garamond, who designed the font Hurley use on all their labels. Garamond was 26 years old in 2024, and it shows.
Kevin says of this vineyard and this wine “.. A beautiful vineyard, it is as if Garamond captures the features of Lodestone and Hommage then adds those that are especially its own to produce an other-worldly wine ..”
About the 2024 vintage by Kevin Bell “The 2024 vintage was difficult in spring and early summer 2023 due to wind and rain, especially in November at flowering time. As in most recent years, this resulted in relatively poor fruit set and lower than average yields. However, warmer and drier conditions in January-March 2024 produced divine conditions for ripening the reduced crop. An orderly harvest in lovely weather occurred in late February to early March, a week or so earlier than average. The cool nights helped to create ideal winemaking conditions. The medium-bodied wines are of exceptional standard and among the best we have made. They are pure, well structured and express elegance and finesse, and have exceptional terroir expression. We think we have made quintessential Hurley Vineyard wines this vintage, both as to the Estate blend and the benchmark single vineyard wines. They all have moderate alcohol, bright natural acidity and inherent balance. ”
“Garamond exudes effortless style. It ripens evenly and is always harvested last. It is classical. In this wine, the fragrance of Hurley Vineyard is the perfume of the boudoir. It is a step up in complexity and intensity. In the palate, there is usually an array of soft, red fruits, plus meat, mushrooms and cake spice. It is succulent, creamy and sweet, but balanced by lively acidity. The wine usually tastes of red minerals and has fine, silky tannins. There is often toffee. The palate is typically tight and firm in its youth, opening up as time goes on. Garamond is complete, ends fresh and lives long. To 2045.” – Kevin Bell
97 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion “There’s a purity and ethereal quality to the ‘24s. Even if Garamond is usually stately, this is much more subdued yet compelling. Rosehips and ironstone, red cherries and a waft of autumn leaves drift out of the glass. The palate is superfine and refined, with textural filigreed tannins matched to lithe acidity. I’d go so far as to say this is the most beautiful Garamond to date; it’s the vintage making its mark, and it’s just lovely.”
RRP $134 Our Special Price $114.99 – VERY LIMITED
