2025 Corner Inlet Tributary Pinot Noir, South Gippsland

Corner Inlet is part of the quietly exciting wine story developing in South Gippsland, where cool maritime conditions make Pinot Noir feel very much at home. Tributary is pitched towards freshness and regional character rather than weight, taking advantage of the long, cool growing season to produce Pinot with perfume, bright fruit and a distinctly savoury edge. It is the sort of bottle that reminds us just how well suited this remote corner of Victoria is to lighter reds.

South Gippsland is strongly influenced by Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean, with cooling winds, regular rainfall and moderate summer temperatures allowing Pinot Noir to ripen slowly. The 2025 Tributary leans into that cool climate personality, favouring juicy red fruit, fragrance and fine tannin over extraction or heavy oak. There is enough earthy complexity to keep Pinot drinkers interested, but the overriding mood is lively and immediately drinkable.

Bright ruby crimson with wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, followed by violet and a touch of blood orange. Clove, black tea and subtle forest floor add savoury detail, with a little dried herb character underneath. The palate is light to medium bodied and silky, with juicy red fruit carried by fresh acidity and fine tannins. Cherry, orange peel and gentle earthy spice leave a fragrant, refreshing finish.

Grilled salmon with miso and sesame works beautifully with this lighter style of Pinot, while mushroom dumplings, duck pancakes, roast beetroot with goat’s cheese or eggplant glazed with soy and ginger can take dinner in several directions. Cellaring: Drink now to 2031.