Port Phillip Estate Balnarring Pinot Noir 2022

Description

Port Phillip Estate is a specialist Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir producer located on the Mornington Peninsula, one of Australia’s foremost cool-climate maritime wine regions. Meticulous sustainable viticulture and
sensitive minimalist winemaking produce site-expressive wines of elegance, complexity and structure. Port Phillip Estate wines are domain grown, vinified and bottled.

“We endeavour to grow the highest quality fruit that expresses the terroir of each vineyard. Our sustainable farming practices are driven by the belief that the health of our vineyard soils, and thus vines, underpin wine quality. 

All grapes are hand pruned, shoot thinned and hand picked.” Winemaker Glen Hayley

“Since becoming chief winemaker at Port Phillip Estate a few years ago, Glen Hayley has taken the estate’s already good wines to new levels of quality and detail.” Max Allen

Notes from the winery:

“Our Balnarring vineyard was established in 1997. The original plantings comprise two distinct areas of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A third area has been planted to Pinot Noir, exploiting the higher-density planting matrix found throughout the Pinot Noir growing regions of the Old World.

This wine was fermented in a combination of large-format wooden foudre and stainless-steel tanks. The ferment, with a portion of whole bunches, commenced spontaneously with ambient yeasts and lasted 18 days. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed and racked into French oak barriques (of which 20% were new) and underwent indigenous malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked only for bottling, with a total maturation period of 11 months. It was then bottled without fining and with minimal filtration.

About the 2022 vintage from the winemaker:  “While yields were significantly lower than average, fruit quality was excellent with intense flavour concentration and refined acidity.”

“An aromatic mix of red and blue fruits leap from the glass, notes of red cherry and boysenberry merge to plum with a hint of violet florals. Elements of brown spice, green olive and earth provide complexity. The palate is expansive with a lush core of raspberry and dark cherry fruit flavours. The tannins are well-rounded with a slight toasty edge, while the wine flows along a line of refreshing acidity. Vibrant, fleshy and layered this wine is approachable now but will reward with medium-term cellaring.”

94 points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot “Crimson in colour with deep aromas of red fruits. Appealing savoury notes – animal hides, sour cherries, and dried herbs. The wine maintains both elegance and intensity through to the end of a long and lingering finish. Dense, concentrated, and well-focused with fine balance accented by satiny tannins. Love it. Delicious now and will drink beautifully over the next six to ten years.”

RRP $49  Our Price $37.99 – LAST OF THIS VINTAGE!

(New Vintage also available – Click here for Special Buy)