2025 Best's Pinot Noir, Grampians

Made from four different clones off different plantings, the oldest 1980. A contrasting style to the '24, with sweet-fruited ripeness now key and, with it, immediate drinkability. A heady, cherry-berry perfume and nicely placed oak spice welcome the drinker to a wine that shows a complex range of vinous ingredients. The palate is supple and elegant, showing good concentration with sweet, peppery spices, bay leaf and vanillin oak threaded through red fruits and plums. Bright and juicy with strong pinot definition. Drink to 2033.

92 points Special Value Jeni Port for Halliday Wine Companion, June 2026

High-toned, juicy aromas of red cherry, raspberry, cranberry, rose petal, dried herbs and spice. The palate is elegant and finely balanced with bright acidity, supple tannins and a vibrant finish. Drink now.

92 points Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling

Pinot Noir was first planted in the Nursery Block at Best’s in the 1860’s. Itis believed that the origin of these vines was the James Busby collection, and that the original Best’s plantings are possibly now the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the world, with one clone likely not existing outside of this vineyard.

The fruit for this 2025 wine came from 1980 and 1987 Pinot Noir plantings in the Concongella vineyard and the Pinot-grafted 1997 vines in the more recently acquired Salvation Hills vineyard. The final wine is a blend of the Best’s, MV6, D5V12 and D2V5 clones of Pinot.

About this producer

Best's was established in 1866 at Concongella in Great Western, making it one of Australia's oldest continuously family-owned wineries. The Thomson family purchased the estate in 1920 and have been its custodians across five generations since. Their Concongella vineyard holds some of Australia's oldest vines with Shiraz plantings dating to 1868, and Great Western's climate gives Best's wines a finesse and restraint that sets them apart from warmer Victorian regions.