Tasting Profile
April 2025
The Morillon Pinot Noir is sourced from 0.4 hectare within the oldest Pinot Noir block (0.6 hectare) at Port Phillip Estate’s Red Hill vineyard. This block was planted in 1987 on a site nestled among folds of the hilly country in Red Hill. The iron and magnesium-rich but otherwise weathered basalts confer a savoury, earthy minerality to the wine. With maturity, the original block consistently produces wine with an extra level of structure, balance and intensity. In light of this we bottle a small portion separately as the ultimate expression of Pinot Noir from this vineyard.
Aromatically vivid yet graceful, the 2023 Morillon Pinot Noir opens with crushed strawberry, raspberry, and pomegranate – red fruits full of energy and charm. Beneath this brightness lies a gentle hum of fresh herbs, brown spice, and earthy notes, each quietly layering in a sense of place and subtle complexity. The palate is finely poised, with red cherry and cranberry dancing along a line of supple, savoury tannin. A bright, cranberry-like acidity threads through the wine, bringing clarity, lift, and drive. There’s a quiet tension – between brightness and depth – that unfolds slowly. Long, layered, and intricately detailed, this wine offers both immediate appeal and the promise of graceful evolution with time in the cellar.
13.5% alc.
Tasting Profile 2023
Tasting Profile 2022
Tasting Profile 2021
Reviews
Wine Pilot, March 2025
Jeni Port
A picture-perfect mate to the Morillon Chardonnay. Planted in 1987, fruit is off the oldest block of Pinot Noir on iron and magnesium basalt soils which bring a natural mineral lift and energy – a word often used when describing Morillon – to the glass. Its youth is evident and oh so drinkable, but there is opportunity for future ageing and development – a win win kind of wine. Red cherry, plum, mulberry, vanilla with rose petal, blood orange skin aromatics and dried herbs travel a firm line of minerally acidity running long and direct. Tannins are fine cut adding to a wine which can be easily described in one word: elegant. The Morillon block seems to always bring a touch of pomegranate – a mix of the tart and the sweet – which adds to the general taste sensation.
95 points
Jancisrobinson, March 2025
Tamlyn Currin
The fruit is sourced from a 0.4-ha parcel of the oldest Pinot vines (planted in 1987) from their Red Hill vineyard. 140–160 m, deep red iron- and magnesium-rich basalt, north facing. Hand-picked, spontaneous fermentation in 15% new oak, 18% whole bunch. Aged in puncheon. Finer framed than the Balnarring Pinot, although the tannins feel like they have more tension. Liquorice and graphite lines, pencil lines. Fine, fine lines. Violets and lavender. The fruit is coiled and exact. Delicate bitterness, orange zest. The finish feels like a fingerprint, weightless, barely there, but lingering way longer than you’d expect from such a slender wine.
17 points
Halliday Wine Companion, March 2025
Jane Faulkner
Vintages that test both winemaker and viticulturist often produce more thoughtful and thought-provoking wines, 2023 is a case in point. This is an excellent Morillon full of light flavours and textures – some cherries and pips, rooibos tea, aniseed, Italian herbs and Campari. Fine tannins and cleansing acidity. This needs no ageing as it’s bright and delicious now, although giving it cellar time will add more detail.
94 points
The Vintage
The Vineyard
The Port Phillip Estate vineyard is located on the Mornington Peninsula at Red Hill, on Eocene volcanic 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.