Description
Murdoch Hill vineyard is in the undulating hills of Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills. Planted by the Downer family in ’98 but the excitement began in 2012 when Michael (family’s youngest) took over the reins after working at esteemed wineries: Vietti in Piedmont; Bests in Great Western (initiated his Pinot Meunier fascination) & Shaw & Smith. He brought winemaking in house to have absolute control (previously outsourced to neighbouring winery) and adopted minimal intervention including wild yeasts, whole bunch ferments, extended skin contact, older wood maturation, no fining, filtration and minimal sulphur. He introduced the Artisan range of single parcel high altitude offerings sourcing fruit from vines in Lobethal, Basket Range and Uraidla high in the Piccadilly Valley …. juicy, vibrant wines that highlight the detail and freshness of each site.
Downer was a Young Guns of Wine finalist in 2014, joint winner of the ‘Winemaker’s Choice’ in 2015, finalist again in 2016 and winner in 2017! In the same year he was awarded Young Winemaker of the Year by Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine! Very compelling getting vote of approval from his peers!
“Murdoch Hill is a serious ultra-quality player in Australian wine. Take note.” Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion Top 100 Wineries 2023
“Michael really knows what he’s doing both in the cellar and in the vineyard. He has proven his credentials over and over again…” Halliday Wine Companion, Winemaker of the Year Finalists 2024
Like Murdoch Hill’s Rocket Chardonnay, 2023 Apollo Pinot Noir is sourced entirely from the Downers’ Lenswood Vineyard in the subregion of the same name in the Adelaide Hills. Initially planted in 1989, the Pinot Noir accounts for 35% of the acreage under vine (just under 10 hectares). There are four blocks: two were planted in the early 2000s to Dijon 114 and 115 (facing southwest), and the D5V12 blocks were planted in 1989 in the top corner of the vineyard, facing east. Fruit for this year’s edition came from the two 1989 blocks—one very rich in ironstone, giving a deep tannin profile to the fruit—and one of the 114/115 clone blocks.
The vines sit in lean, loamy soils with seams of ironstone and quartz throughout. The clonal complexity gives a dense core of fruit, structure and excellent fragrance. The fruit is mainly destemmed (10% bunches) and spends 10-21 days on skins. Maturation occurs in a mix of barrel sizes (barrique, puncheon and demi-muid; approximately 35% new wood) for nine months. Downer works with tight-grained, low-impact barrels to build texture and structure in the wines.
96 points, Katrina Butler, Halliday Wine Companion “This is comprised entirely of Lenswood fruit and the average vine age is 30-plus years. I anticipate the release of this wine from Murdoch Hill’s ‘space’ series each year. Medium weight with dialled-up concentration, raspberry, apple fruit leather, subtle clove and cinnamon spice, an earthy moss character with dried leaves strewn atop. The tannins pull everything inward, concentrating the flavours of the wine further, suggesting a long life ahead. A beautiful reminder and promise of the potential of the region.”
95 points, Tom Kline, Inside Burgundy “It’s savoury and dark aromatically, but the palate has a cooling cherry pit mineral feel with great intensity. Dark cherry, earth, brown spice and subtle raspberry are promptly wrapped up in firm, sappy tannins and long, persistent dark cherry acidity. Wonderfully poised, clean and fresh through the finish. Time in the cellar will reward.”
95 points, jamessuckling.com “Lifted and perfumed on the nose, with aromas of raspberries, wild strawberries, cassia bark and earth. The palate is medium-bodied with finely integrated acidity and tannins, giving notes of dark cherries, dried herbs and graphite. Wonderfully constructed with an underlying power. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
RRP $103 Our Special Price $80.99 when you buy 6 or more
