Tasting Profile
November 2025
The Morillon Chardonnay is sourced from 0.1 hectare within the oldest Chardonnay block (1.3 hectares) at Port Phillip Estate’s Red Hill vineyard. This block was planted in 1988 on a site nestled among folds of the hilly country in Red Hill. The Red Hill vineyard is dominated by red basalt, yet the Chardonnay block is planted in an area of sandy grey loam over yellow clay. With maturity, the original block consistently produces wine with an extra level of structure, balance and intensity. We bottle a small portion separately as the ultimate expression of Chardonnay from this vineyard.
The 2024 Morillon Chardonnay is expressive and layered, opening with white peach, grapefruit flesh and fresh lemon peel. Beneath the bright fruit sits a savoury complexity of almond meal, pastry dough and subtle notes of gunflint and oyster shell, with gentle oak spice quietly framing the wine. The aromatics unfold gradually, revealing further detail with time in the glass.
The palate is vibrant and finely detailed, with grapefruit citrus, nectarine and white peach carried by a bright, even line of acidity. Fine phenolics bring tension and shape, while extended lees ageing builds a subtle creaminess through the mid-palate, layered with notes of almond meal and spiced apple. Long, poised and finely composed, the wine finishes with freshness, texture and quiet persistence, with further complexity to emerge over time in the cellar.
13.5% alc.
Tasting Profile 2024
Tasting Profile 2023
Tasting Profile 2022
Reviews
Wine Pilot, May 2026
Jeni Port
A builder in more ways than one, this graceful young Mornington Peninsula chardonnay builds in depth with time in the glass, while also building on what will undoubtedly be a long-term ageing capability. Light lemon hues with hints of green. Aromas of quince, lemon, apple, peach and nectarine with spice and grilled nuts. The palate is built on a concentrated, taut base of citrus and stone fruits – upfront and delicate – before engaging in a serious back half, one that builds and builds offering a deep complexity of flavour that ripples over the tongue. Fine in texture, there is a sense of contained power about it, with nicely judged oak – fermentation and 11 months maturation in French oak (20% new) – and exotic, lightly savoury hints of ginger and spice.
96 points
JancisRobinson.com, May 2026
Tamlyn Currin
From a tiny 0.1-ha block of Chardonnay planted in 1987 in the Red Hill vineyard, east facing. Hand-picked. Whole-bunch pressed to French oak. Spontaneous fermentation in mostly puncheons and a range of other oak barrels, some new. No malo. Aged for around 10 months. I think that if you could turn amber, the gemstone, into wine, it would be Port Phillip’s Morillon. A lapidary wine that catches the smoked honey tones of amber swirls, the iridescent light-catching beauty of marmalade richness, the dragonfly shimmer of citrus-peel fragrance, acidity that curves contour and polish. It’s compelling, captivating, breath-taking.
17.5 points
The Vintage
The Vineyard
The Port Phillip Estate Red Hill vineyard is located on the Mornington Peninsula 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.