Swell Season Chardonnay

· 5 min read
Swell Season Chardonnay

There is a gentle, flowing texture and a fresh, persistent finish that makes it a pleasure to drink now, but with enough structure to reward short-term cellaring. The nose shows attractive notes of ripe plums and wild strawberries with a hint of cloves and spice. The palate displays supple red fruit flavours and soft, fine tannins. This wine has an elegant structure, silky texture and juicy acidity to give freshness and a lingering finish.
“Sure, but in the context of a snapshot of a region that shows wines that people mostly want to drink, then that’s a pretty good result. If you want profound wines, you have to be deeply invested in regenerative agriculture, otherwise those wines won’t exist. It’s early days for Mosele, but he is excited by the prospect of what those deep-rooted vines might express about his site, which is situated on the east side of the Peninsula bindi dixon pinot noir in Balnarring. McIntyre had already devoted half his 2-hectare vineyard to chardonnay, with 160 pinot vines “just in case”, while cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot made up the rest. The figures that Crittenden and McIntyre were relying on had been harvested from a hot, built-up area, and were a poor reflection of the prevailing conditions across much of the Peninsula.

A bright, fresh, racy version, showing pomegranate and blood orange fruit laced with a mouthwatering mineral edge, with light savory and sanguine hints adding range on the finish. Might be on the skinny side for some, but this is balanced and persistent. A blend of clones and a warm year have combined to produce a juicy, generous wine with lots of fruit intensity- plum, cherry and blackberry. There is plenty of body and length with a  crunchy acidity and a spicy oak touch. This is incredibly fresh and vivid with orange peel, orange blossoms, cherries and hints of rose stem. Medium-bodied with a sleek and racy palate of creamy, fine tannins and a energetic length and purity.
We gathered every Mornington pinot noir that we could find and set our expert panel the task of finding the wines that compelled the most. All wines were tasted blind, and each panellist named their top six wines. Below are the wines that made the panellists’ top-six selections from the tasting. A blend of all our estate vineyards plus the St James's vineyard in Uraidla.
In the glass, this Pinot Noir is a celebration of bright red fruits—wild strawberries, cherries, and a hint of cranberry—balanced by a touch of earthy spice and silky, structured tannins. A fresh line of acidity brings energy and precision, making it a delightfully vibrant and elegant drop. Pale ruby garnet in colour with a lifted nose of ripe red and black cherries, black rose petals, a touch of pomegranate and coriander seed and cardamom spice. On the palate the red cherry dominates with subtle spice and floral lavender and rosewater notes. A delicious, long mouthful of wine, with tangy pomegranate molasses on the finish. Ripe dark cherry, plum and anise aromas mix with hints of dried herbs, earth and spicy cedar.

A benchmark Marlborough wine, Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir is proof that Marlborough’s climate and clay soils make it much more than a one-grape region. Pinot Noir complements duck, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, and even richer fish like salmon. Its balance of fruit and acidity makes it exceptionally versatile. At the Montalto Cellar Door, open daily, guided tastings showcase our full Pinot Noir range. Montalto Pinot Noir is consistently acclaimed, with Halliday Wine Companion Top Five Red Star Winery status underscoring our commitment to excellence.
Stylish and seductive, the wine shows dark plum, assorted nut, thyme, cured meat and rich floral aromas on the nose, followed by a wonderfully weighted palate displaying silky flow and fleshy texture. Tannins are fine and beautifully infused, making the wine gorgeously harmonious and persistent. A blend of grapes from Bannockburn, Earnscleugh & Gibbston Vineyards.
Aromas of spiced rhubarb, juicy red cherries, Asian five spice and vanilla mingle with earthy notes and the distinct fruity spice notes of sassafras forest. It develops with spices from the whole bunch inclusion and French oak barrels. The palate is elegantly structured, offering a harmonious interplay of vibrant acidity and silky tannins. Mid-palate, the wine reveals layers of cranberry and pomegranate, complemented by a whisper of earthy minerality.

Sappy, moreish and complex, this wine can be enjoyed now but will gain interest over the medium term. Elegantly structured palate, presenting refined flavours of red cherry, ripe raspberry, and subtle cranberry, complemented by nuanced layers of gentle spices, subtle black tea leaf, and earthy minerality. Polished tannins and lively acidity ensure impeccable balance and sophisticated elegance. Light and feathery, with nutty flavours, bright acidity, a fine powdery tannin texture, and a firm red cherry and red fruited finish.
Brooding perfume – all things dark… bitter chocolate, intense espresso coffee, plum and wild blackberry fruit. It is a textural feast – full, ripe fruit flavours combine with just the right amount of astringency from perfectly ripe tannins. It is supple and velvety, yet juicy and structural all at the same time. Expressive and inviting aromas of fresh cherries, wild raspberries, and delicate cranberries, harmoniously interwoven with floral nuances of rose petals and violets. Subtle hints of forest floor, gentle spice, and earthy minerality enhance complexity and intrigue. Displaying a captivating garnet hue, the Maressa Pinot Noir opens with an aromatic bouquet of ripe red cherries, wild strawberries, and a hint of forest floor, underscored by subtle nuances of clove and cedar.

The tannins and acid work in harmony to give this wine structure, length and freshness. Strawberry and  red cherry, a little paprika and earth, but kind of rosy too. It’s medium-bodied, red fruits with a pleasing gentle graphite tannin grip, some pomegranate tang and orange zest, with a sappy finish offering good length. A wine of distinct personality that offers plenty of drinking pleasure.
The finish is long and refined, with a delicate spiciness that lingers gracefully. This Pinot Noir exemplifies the finesse and complexity characteristic of its cool-climate origin, making it a benchmark for the varietal. A full fragrant nose of juniper, rose petal, and plum meld with spice notes of cardamon and sumac. The palate concentration is exceptional, a hallmark of a small yielding year on the Martinborough Terrace.

Rich mouth filling dark plum, ripe cherry, strawberry and anise flavours are layered across the mid weighted palate. Concentrated and fleshy textured it has polished yet underlyingly sturdy tannins. Bright notes of fresh raspberry, cherries and black pepper on the nose with an underlying layer of mineral and cacao. On the palate, it’s persistent with generous red fruits, cedar, subtle game, and a dusting of aniseed. The 2024 Pinot Noir reveals enticing aromas of red and black fruits mingled with spice and earthy undertones.
Single Vineyard releases are regularly awarded for their purity of fruit, balance, and site expression. Sit back and take in the aromas from a glass of this pinot as you think about sitting at the top of the vineyard surrounded by cows, water, grass and all things Western District farming. We ship with Australia Post using their dedicated wine post service. All parcels are trackable and in most cases arrive in 2-3 days for east coast metro areas. As an owner and manager of community hubs right across Australia, Vicinity acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. There’s always room for dessert – Piccolina Gelateria has arrived with the summer sunshine, serving traditional, hand-crafted, 100% natural Italian gelato made from fresh seasonal ingredients.