2023 Medhurst Estate Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

Handpicked from two blocks, one north-facing and one partially south-facing. About 10% whole bunches in the final cuvée; 30% new wood. A light, bright crimson cherry. Leaps out of the glass with its bouquet of cranberries, redcurrants and rosehips together with some spice and floral top notes. Brightly fruited on the palate too, with fine, gently crunchy tannins and vibrant, palate-cleansing acidity. Very nicely done. Drink to 2032.

95 points Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2024

This wine comes from the challenging, cool and humid 2023 season that saw Yarra vineyards working hard to keep canopies and maturing fruit healthy before late summer finally provided a relief in form of dry, mild conditions leading up to the harvest.

The Estate Pinot Noir is a blend of two MV6 clone blocks, with three quarters from the north facing, gravelly vineyard block B and the balance from the cooler, south facing block C with its brown loamy soils. Hand harvested over several days in mid-March, the wine was matured for nine months in French oak barrels of which 30% were new and bottled in the first half of December.

A fresh Pinot with lifted red fruit, this fine and silky Pinot should drink well over a number of years.

About this producer

Medhurst Wines was established in 2000 with the first plantings at the Gruyere property owned by Ross and Robyn Wilson. Located on the western side of the Warramate Ranges, the north facing site sits at an elevation of 130 to 220 metres. The initial Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz vines have since been joined by Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Malbec. The wines are made on-site by winemakers Rohan Smith and Kathy McBride.