Australian Pinot

[VinoEd]

Hi all - I’m interested in tapping the collective wisdom and experience of the forum here. Aussie Pinot is not something I’ve got a huge amount of in my cellar (or Pinot generally). Part of the reason is I’ve never quite been truly “wowed” by the Australian versions of this variety. Palate preference and all.

I have been fortunate to try some Burgundy and I see this as slightly adjacent - particularly mature - yea, it still has lighter fruit profiles, but savoury notes, more tannin, structure and length which are the things I respond too. Nebbiolo can be similar - I’ve started having what I’m sure most here consider entry level GD Vajra Barolo - it’s got that lighter fruit profile sure, but red earth, and the same structure and length that I really enjoy.

Ok, so that being said - what Australian Pinot should I be taking a look at to help determine if it has a place in my cellar?

I buy Mount Mary every year (since I started collecting) but that’s it currently

Have tried quite of lot of Adelaide Hills Pinot, some of the more entry level Pooley Pinot from Tasmania, a bit of Mornington and Yarra Pinot…

Advice / suggestions / musings all welcome

Cheers, Ed

[A_Steady]

I suggest you try Chatto - the flagship ‘Isle’ is my favourite but they have a number of styles in their range.

Home Hill ‘Kelly’s Reserve’, and Tolpuddle are also worth trying imo

[phillisc]

Its of absolutely no surprise to anyone here, but I think there's just two bottles of Ata Rangi Marlborough PN in the cellar, that someone gave to me as a gift.
I have one memorable Pinot experience when I called Stephen George in about 1995 or thereabouts to come to the winery to collect my annual Galah wines order (home brand Wendouree). He said Craig if you have a minute I'd really appreciate an unbiased opinion.
On the tasting bench were 20+ vintages of Ashton Hills Pinot. We went through the lot and I have to admit there were many bottles that I liked.
Now in the hands of Wirra Wirra, Ashton Hills at Summertown Ed is where I'd start. Think there are 4 wines from 4 different vineyards.
Cheers Craig

[Waiters Friend]

For Australian pinot, Tasmania is the go.

[VinoEd]

I suggest you try Chatto - the flagship ‘Isle’ is my favourite but they have a number of styles in their range.

Home Hill ‘Kelly’s Reserve’, and Tolpuddle are also worth trying imo

Thanks - haven’t tried Chatto, will do some research into it. Tolpuddle is definitely on the list to try.

Cheers, Ed

[VinoEd]

Its of absolutely no surprise to anyone here, but I think there's just two bottles of Ata Rangi Marlborough PN in the cellar, that someone gave to me as a gift.
I have one memorable Pinot experience when I called Stephen George in about 1995 or thereabouts to come to the winery to collect my annual Galah wines order (home brand Wendouree). He said Craig if you have a minute I'd really appreciate an unbiased opinion.
On the tasting bench were 20+ vintages of Ashton Hills Pinot. We went through the lot and I have to admit there were many bottles that I liked.
Now in the hands of Wirra Wirra, Ashton Hills at Summertown Ed is where I'd start. Think there are 4 wines from 4 different vineyards.
Cheers Craig

Thanks Craig - have tried a few of the Ashton Hills wines, probably the estate not reserve labels though (and can’t recall specifics - more bottles I’ve tasted from someone not something I’ve purchased).

Cheers Ed

[mjs]

Its of absolutely no surprise to anyone here, but I think there's just two bottles of Ata Rangi Marlborough PN in the cellar, that someone gave to me as a gift.
I have one memorable Pinot experience when I called Stephen George in about 1995 or thereabouts to come to the winery to collect my annual Galah wines order (home brand Wendouree). He said Craig if you have a minute I'd really appreciate an unbiased opinion.
On the tasting bench were 20+ vintages of Ashton Hills Pinot. We went through the lot and I have to admit there were many bottles that I liked.
Now in the hands of Wirra Wirra, Ashton Hills at Summertown Ed is where I'd start. Think there are 4 wines from 4 different vineyards.
Cheers Craig

Thanks Craig - have tried a few of the Ashton Hills wines, probably the estate not reserve labels though (and can’t recall specifics - more bottles I’ve tasted from someone not something I’ve purchased).

Cheers Ed

I would second Ashton Hills. I was there a couple of weeks ago, all the wines were high quality

I still struggle with the lack of structure in Australian pinots, there are a few that I like, but there's plenty of lolly water as well

[Rossco]

Not in any order, however I have enjoyed Pinot's from:

Gembrook Hill
By Farr
Curly Flat
Bindi
Main Ridge
Giant Steps (Single Vineyard Series)
DML & Hoddles Creek 1er
Jane Eyre

[Matt@5453]

Pinot noir seems to be a fickle variety to grow and produce consistent table wines each year. I have found, you find a good wine from a producer, then buy the new/next vintage and it can let you down.

Agree with a lot of the comments here. I have had a consistent run of over the years with good pinots from all of the below (in no order):

Ashton Hills (I prefer the Estate)
Jack Rabbit Wines (Bellarine, VIC)
Wines for Joanie (Tas)
Holm Oak (Tas)
Devils Corner (Tas)
Dalyrmple Vineyards (Tas)
Giant Steps
By Farr (some of the best aussie pinot I have had)
Stonier Wines (Mornington)

[Hacker]

I would also throw in Dappled from the Yarra. They have a regular blend which I love, and a single vineyard version which I haven't tried.

[felixp21]

Aussie pinot??? hmmmm

Mount Mary ... excellent, worth the cash.
Giant Steps Applejack .... much cheaper, but great for casual drinking without any expectation.

very few pinots outside the Yarra Valley consistently grab my attention.
IMO Tassie Pinots are the most over-rated wines in the World/Galaxy/Universe. Tolpuddle and Stargazer produced pinots in 2021 that are literally undrinkable, two bottles of each on occasions a week apart were both chucked down the sink. We then went back to try older vintages of both, and they were, at best, mundane. Did a trip down there in 2022, travelled all over the place (its not hard, pretty small joint) and we couldn't fine a solitary pinot that wowed us.
To be fair to the above two wineries, they were absolutely miles from being the worst, so utterly laughable stuff is being created down there, the one that really springs to mind is the bizarre rip-off of VCC (Bordeaux) complete with pink label, I think called Vieux Certan. Putrid is being insulting to the word putrid.
Joseph Chromy, OTOH, was easily the best winery down there for us, and the stuff was quite good.

Believe it or not, in the old days, Moss Wood made a fantastic pinot, but climate change has gradually worn down its quality.

[Waiters Friend]

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Bass Phillip yet. Any comments from those with more experience of this winery than me?

[felixp21]

Bass Phillip is, of course in my opinion, very average. I was on their list in the 90's, back in the day the Premium cost $40, now its about the cost of a high-quality PC from Beaune, or a top village from Nuits. Even in this Burgundy idiocy period we are enduring, those wines are still head neck and shoulders above anything PJ has made (including the laughably expensive Reserve)

Never had a really good BP wine, and I'd reckon I've seen at least 15 vintages of the Reserve.

[TravisW]

Bindi

[BHCC1]

The foregoing just confirms that Pinot beauty (or otherwise) is in the eye of the beholder. Best you can do is buy, try and make up your own mind.

[VinoEd]

Thanks for all of the responses - appreciate it.

On balance it seems I’m not on my lonesome with having yet to to lock down a broad range of long term, must buy Aussie Pinot (probably not surprising given in real terms it’s still a somewhat newer and less proven variety - sounds weird but it’s all relative I guess).

Plenty of good suggestions to try.

[JamieAdelaide]

I’m no expert as I’m drinking my Burgundy.

Ashton Hills is good. Reserve especially. In a sophisticated bistro style . Generally I reckon SA Pinot should be pulled.

By Farr not bad.

Tassie Pinot emerging.

I still find I’m drinking Aussie Pinot young and under stelvin which delivers a svelte,though somewhat boring dry red.

[I Love Shiraz]

I have quite a bit of Australian Pinot Noir in my collection. It ages far better than most people give it credit for. As our vines have aged, the quality of our Pinot Noir has lifted.

Below is a summary of my favourite producers:
Macedon Ranges
Bindi
Curly Flat
Lyon's Will Estate

Yarra Valley
Giant Steps
Mount Mary
Oakridge
Hoddle's Creek Estate
Mayer
Gembrook Hill
Mac Forbes

Mornington Peninsula
Hurley Vineyard
Moorooduc Estate
Main Ridge Estate
Paringa Estate
Ten Minutes by Tractor

Gippsland
William Downie
Bass Phillip
Dirty Three
Fleet Wines

Geelong
By Farr
Bannockburn Vineyards
Clyde Park
Mulline
Provenance Wines

Tasmania
Pooley Wines
Chatto Wines
Stargazer
Sailor Seeks Horse
Stefano Lubiana
Tolpuddle
Holyman Wines
Freycinet

[Scotty vino]

Mount Mary
Giant steps AJ
Ashton hills
TMBT
Yabby Lake.

Hoddles creek for $$ is good imo .

[jimv]

Have to add The Wanderer to the Yarra list