2021 Quealy Campbell & Christine Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula

With Musk Creek and Tussie Mussie, this site completes the trio of Quealy’s premier league, leased Mornington vineyards. It was established by Doctors Campbell and Christine Penfold in 1994 and is mainly MV6 (while some 114 and 115 were also planted, taking advantage of the premium clones that became available around the same time). Located on the coastal plain, it sits at a very low 30 metres of elevation behind the Balnarring village, facing north on an exposed site with alluvial clay and red soils washed down from Red Hill. It’s a site that, as Tom McCarthy tells us, produces “gorgeous, small bunches of glossy Pinot Noir”.
 
Cropped at less than two tonnes to the acre, only the free-run juice from the fermentation was settled and racked into 500-litre puncheons (roughly a quarter new). Expect fresh and lively red fruit aromas, with some anise and pepper spice sprinkled in. There are chalky tannins, driving acidity and soft, plush red fruits fringed with subtle salinity. It’s fresh, vibrant and full of verve: quality Mornington Pinot.