2021 Levantine Hill Estate Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

Handpicked and destemmed before stalks were added back to selected parcels to generate complexity. These Estate pinots from Levantine emanate the prettiest perfume of purple flowers. Deeply enticing with dried orange rind, souk-like spices, raspberry and alpine berries. Tannins are finely woven, binding both savoury and fruit elements together. The steady thrum of turned earth and leaf litter, maitake mushroom and the gentle buzz of white pepper make for studious lessons in graceful tension.

95 points Katrina Butler winecompanion.com.au

Levantine Hill Estate Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley is a polished and layered expression of site, crafted with a nod to both Burgundy and modern Australian elegance. Grown on north-facing slopes in the heart of the Yarra Valley, this wine benefits from cool nights, well-drained volcanic soils, and meticulous viticulture. The result is a Pinot Noir that balances ripe fruit with restraint, savoury depth and structure.

The estate’s winemaking philosophy is low-intervention and detail-oriented. Fruit is handpicked and sorted, with whole berries and a portion of whole bunches fermented using wild yeasts. Maturation occurs in French oak barriques, with a careful use of new oak to frame the fruit without overwhelming it.

In the glass, it opens with aromas of raspberry, cherry, pomegranate and dried rose, layered with subtle spice, forest floor and a touch of graphite. The palate is elegant and fine-boned, offering red fruits, blood orange and silky tannins that glide across the tongue. There's a savoury undercurrent and mineral precision that gives the wine a long, composed finish.

Ideal with duck breast, porcini risotto, grilled trout or roast quail. This Pinot will age gracefully over five to eight years, gaining further complexity and silk.