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 Lodestone vineyard is north-facing vineyard of 1.4 hectares that was planted in 1999. It’s exposition due North means it gets the most sun exposure of the three climates. It contains the Burgundian clones 114, 115 and 777, as well as MV6. Planted with Burgundian clones 114, 115 and 777, as well as MV6. Lodestone takes its name from magnetite, an iron mineral abundant in the vineyard soil.
Lodestone is the warmest of the single vineyards, and is always harvested first. Accordingly, the wine can be powerful and concentrated, but not coarse or extracted. Its four clones enhance its natural complexity. Lodestone is earthy to the nose and sweet to the palate. It is usually moreish and satisfying. The fruit is darker in character than Hommage and Garamond, and the tannins more evident, reflecting the heavier, rockier, clayey soil. There is often a hint of dried sage.
About the 2024 vintage: “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. “ – Kevin Bell
95 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “Of the four Hurley Vineyard pinots noirs released this year, this is the one that I’ll take home with me. They’re all excellent but this one just has the balance of all the various components arranged so impeccably. It’s the perfect mix of fruit and undergrowth, earth and wood, tannin and pure, lively juice. There’s a chalky, minerally character to the finish, in particular, though this aspect is present throughout – even as it lays on a fair amount of silken charm. This is great stuff.”
95 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion “Lodestone could be called Ironstone, as there’s a distinct ferrous character to it. Of all the pinots from the ’24 vintage, this needs more time to gel and then unfurl. The usual varietal flavours, but also raspberries and their leaves and a little rooibos tea. Sweet fruit works across the barely mid-weighted palate, tannins a tad sinewy yet led by fresh acidity.”
RRP $109 Our Special Price $94.99 – VERY LIMITED.
