Pinot Noir

The high-density Darshan block was planted in 2014 to 11,300 vines per ha in a 1.1m x 0.8m spacing, Block 8 the same. That’s high-density folks. Despite launching the 2021 vintage a year ago, Michael Dhillon has shifted release dates of some wines, hence this ’17. Perfumed with touches of sumac, musk, joss sticks with rhubarb and cherries. The palate is light/lean-ish, a little sinewy yet layered with tannins and tangy acidity. Not the most complex in the line-up but a thoughtful wine, refreshing and lovely. 95 points. Jane Faulkner Published 29 June 2024.   The Darshan vineyard is a tribute to Bindi founder Bill Darshan...

Winery Note: It's a rare treat to have a wine or three that we hold for five plus years and are able to assess many bottles over the time to enjoy and contemplate. Normally the wines are grown, made, bottled and sold out within 15 to 18 months. With Darshan and Block 8 we have had the opportunity to see many bottles of these wines, to understand the vineyards, the seasons, their personalities and to evolve our expectations. It's been a treat. The 2018 season was a little warmer than 2017. The nose is floral, ethereal even, with sweet, wild forest fruits. Added complexity comes from aromas of brown spices, game and...

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...

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...

The Original Vineyard has over its history become know for its signature perfumed bouquet and silky, pure palate. This relatively quartz riddled, gently north sloping three acre vineyard produces very fine, spicy, fragrant wine that has high natural acidity and develops beautifully given 6-10 years careful cellaring. As it ages the depth of aroma increases in and the palate becomes increasingly harmonious and is characterized by a sweet fruited, textured flourish. In comparison to the Block Five this wine is more seductive and delicious in its youth whilst still significantly rewarding cellar time. The wine spends 15-17 months in French...

  "Amazingly integrated at this early stage which is not a classic market for this site. Its going to be stunning in a year or two..." RR4WEA  

The Real Review Deep-ish red-purple, bright and clear; the bouquet is sweetly cherry varietal, bold and brash, with a generous quota of oak. It has a firm tannin backbone that suggests either food or a stint in the cellar would suit it. A solid pinot noir with a big frame, that would surely reward some extra cellar time.   95 points. Huon Hooke - Jan 08 2024   This is up there as one of the finest Cri de Coeurs to date. It retains a core of cherry fruit, some kirsch, chinotto, blood orange juice and zest. Plus lots of spices and cedar wood flavours – not oaky, though. Fuller bodied, textural tannins with a little hazelnut...

AUD Retail $150. Trophy: Best Red Wine - Royal Sydney Wine Show 2022 Trophy: Best Pinot Noir - Royal Sydney Wine Show 2022 Trophy: Champion Wine of Show - Tasmanian Wine Show 2024 Trophy: Best Red Wine - Tasmanian Wine Show 2024 Trophy: Best Pinot Noir - Tasmanian Wine Show 2024 Top Gold Medal - Tasmanian Wine Show 2024 Gold Medal & 95 Points - National Wine Show 2023 Gold Medal & 96 Points - Royal Sydney Wine Show 2022 Gold Medal & 95 Points - Royal Perth Wine Show 2022 Gold Medal & 95 Points - Australian Pinot Noir Challenge 2022 Gold Medal & 96 Points - Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 95 Points - Huon Hooke; Real...

"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

James Halliday Wine Companion 96 points. From the Sexton vineyard in Gruyere, planted on the same grey clay as the Applejack vineyard; 50% whole bunches and 50% destemmed. Matured 11 months in French barriques (20% new). Bottled unfined and unfiltered. A dark, deep crimson. A more robust Yarra Valley pinot with its aromas of dark cherries, black plum and a dried-earth character that makes it quite different to the other Giant Step single-vineyard pinots. Sweetly fruited, concentrated and structured on the palate, what this impressive wine doesn't have in finesse, it makes up for in power and grunt. This should still be looking good, 10,...

"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

RAY JORDAN, THE WEST AUSTRALIAN 2022, 97 points. This is the initial release of La Maison from this single vineyard site near Hobart. Combines all the best elements of great pinot – elegance, precision, subtle finesse and a fine acidity. On the nose, plum and raspberry notes with darker cherry notes emerge. The palate is super intense with a deep, concentrated core. Yet it delivers with so much of that pinot finesse. Richly layered dark fruits provide a dense core with earthy undertones, Christmas cake and a tea-like character bring life and length (best drinking: Now to 2035). 

Up to 50% whole bunches; gentle hand plunging; matured 10 months in (25% new) large-format French oak. The 2020 vintage secures Lowestoft among Tasmania's A-league, but it's going to be a long time before the full magnificence of its flagship is realised. The coiled potential on display here is something to behold, with pristine and precise black and red cherry fruit intricately woven with the perfumed allure of whole bunches and the fine-grained framework of top-class French oak. Brilliant. 96 points. Tyson Stelzer Published 12 May 2022.

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.       

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...

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.

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!

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...

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.

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   COLOUR Light garnet. AROMA Perfumed aromas of ripe plum, raspberry and dark cherry supported by subtle oak spice. PALATE Bright and juicy red fruit flavours upfront are underscored by a dense core of dark cherry and supple oak tannin. CELLARING Exceptional drinking over the next five to seven years. James Halliday Wine Companion 90 points. A bright and light, ginger-spiced rendition of pinot noir that shows fruit characters of raspberry, red cherry and cranberry along with hints of fine spice, charcuterie, a...