Port Phillip Estate Morillon Pinot Noir 2009
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Port Phillip Estate is located at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula. The maritime climate and southerly latitude combined with the estate’s deep red loam soils are ideal for cool climate viticulture. The vineyard is set in a sheltered natural amphitheatre with north and north-east facing slopes providing excellent drainage and exposure to sunlight.
Vintage
Rains in the Winter of 2008 were encouraging and although budburst was early, conditions were more typical for Spring and early Summer than for the previous several years. The cool weather did compromise flowering and fruit set however, so the yield potential was low. Concurrent days of extreme heatwave conditions in early February had an understandably severe impact, sunburning fruit on the western sides of the vine rows. However, for the growth stage of the fruit at Port Phillip Estate this simply resulted in shrivel and drop of scorched berries, reducing yield further but not compromising quality. The resulting harvest was about 50% less than what is considered appropriate for Port Phillip Estate but asides from the week of freakish heat, the 2008 – 2009 growing season was essentially benign, with amenable temperatures and rainfall events occurring at appropriate intervals. The tiny yields produced wines of high natural acidity and unusually intense varietal fruit character.
Viticulture
The 2009 Port Phillip Estate Morillon Pinot noir is a single site wine produced from 1.01 hectares of estate vineyard. The blocks were planted in 1987.
Winemaking
The fruit is 100% destemmed and fermented, without yeast inoculation, in open vats for 18 to 21 days. The malolactic conversion also is indigenous. The maturation period is 16 months in French oak (30% new).
Wine Analysis
Alcohol – 13.0%
Tasting Note
Bright medium maroon colour. Has the typically bright, lifted Port Phillip Estate aromatic red fruits, plus notes of dry pine needle and crushed savoury herbs. The palate is both elegant and savoury, with an Italianate cherry stone bitterness on the finish which is hallmark of the site.
Cellaring
Will reward further bottle ageing.
Tasting Notes
2009 (PDF)
2008 (PDF)
2007 (PDF)
Port Phillip Estate Morillon Pinot Noir 2009
Reviews
THE AGE GOOD WINE GUIDE 2012
This has quite a profoundly spicy nose: exotic Moroccan spices, fragrant and savoury, with an undercurrent of ripe dark-cherry fruit and sweet, earthy notes below that; the oak adds a meaty edge. The palate shows plenty of oak in terms of flavour and structure; toasty, sweet spices thread through bright, juicy cherry/plum flavours. Great length and definition here – plenty of time ahead too. Rating: 94
NICK STOCK
THE AUSTRALIAN WINE ANNUAL 2012
Musky, smoky and minty aromas of red cherries, redcurrants, chocolate/vanilla oak and baked earth are lifted by a scent of red flowers and backed by hints of menthol and briar. It’s very firm and bony, with almost a sinewy structure beneath its bright, translucent fruit, finishing just a little hard and raw. It should flesh out and soften considerably after a couple of years. Rating: 93
JEREMY OLIVER
WBM WINE 100, November 2011
Earthy, dusty, savoury notes, sweet spice, black cherry fruit, palate is fine and elegant, lithe, maybe a little stern, but leanness is also a focus here. Has a good feel and fine aperture. Rating: 92/100
MIKE BENNIE
JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2012
KOOYONG AND PORT PHILLIP ESTATE
COMBINED WINERIES OF THE YEAR 2012
Pure red cherry and Asian allspice are delivered on the bouquet; almost essency in its purity, with superfine-grained tannins aplenty, tightly wound fruit and crunchy acidity providing a linear, yet generous, experience from start to finish.
95 Points
JAMES HALLIDAY
Download Reviews