Tasting Profile
May 2021
This single-block wine is sourced from 0.75 ha of 23-year-old vines within, as the name suggests, the most sheltered of our vineyard sites. The lack of exposure to strong winds allows the vines to keep a rich green canopy until comparatively late in the ripening period and the resulting Haven wines always possess fruit in the more purplish spectrum, with a certain richness and lushness yet a firm underlying tannic structure. The vineyard (6.88 ha in total) comprises seven different parcels, with the same two parcels historically being selected for this wine. The fruit was entirely de-stemmed, and fermentation took place in large-format concrete and stainless tanks. Fermentation occurred spontaneously with ambient yeasts and lasted 18 days. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed and racked into French oak barriques (25% of which were new) and underwent indigenous malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked only once, with the total maturation period lasting 14 months. It was then bottled without fining or filtration.
The 2019 Haven’s brooding, fruit-driven nose speaks strongly of the Northern growing areas of the Mornington Peninsula. Bright fruit notes of red and black cherry together with plummier tones transform into diverse aromas of dry rosemary, cooling mint and dried spices such as cardamom and anise. Fleshy, supple fruits run through the core of the palate, cajoled by fine and chewy tannins into length and drive. Dense flavours of citrus and sour cherry contribute to a powerful finish, a hallmark of Haven. While the wine feels assured now, it will develop over time as the tannins release their grip on the palate.
13.5% alc.
Tasting Profile 2019
Tasting Profile 2018
Tasting Profile 2016
Reviews
The Winefront, July 2021
Gary Walsh
Red fruits, spicy and earthy, floral too. Medium-bodied, spiced strawberry and sour cherry, tight and quite sappy, fine emery tannin, lively and fresh to close, with a sort of sweet soil thing happening. Really like this. Finely etched.
95 points
Wine Pilot, July 2021
Ken Gargett
This pinot is from a 0.75 ha section of vines, from two blocks (the same two almost every time), planted more than two decades ago, within their Haven Vineyard, known for being their most sheltered site. This allows the grapes more time to ripen, avoiding any strong winds. The full vineyard encompasses 6.88 hectares and totals seven blocks. The grapes are fully de-stemmed. Fermentation occurs over 18 days in large-format wooden and stainless-steel tanks, by way of native yeasts. The wine is then pressed and racked into French oak barriques (25% new), before undergoing malolactic fermentation. The total maturation period is 14 months. Bottling takes place without fining or filtration.
The colour is more sunset and a deeper crimson than that of the Meres. The aromas here are florals and that of raspberries. Some cherry pip notes mingle with earthy tones. There is a slight note of bramble and a lovely, luxurious, juicy texture. Very fine tannins abound, giving the wine a hint of velvety plushness. Good length to be found in this wine – it really does linger – and it undoubtedly has an exciting future.
94 points
The Vintage
The Vineyard
The Kooyong vineyard is located on the Mornington Peninsula at Tuerong, on Miocene sedimentary soils. Our wines are made from domain grown, handpicked grapes and aim to manifest terroir: the integration of our geology and soils with the macroclimate of our region, the mesoclimates of the various sites within our vineyard and the weather of the annual grape growing season. Our cultural operations in the vineyard and practices in the winery endeavour to articulate these unique characteristics diligently, respectfully and without artifice.