2023 Murdoch Hill Phaeton Pinot Noir

95 pts
A masterfully crafted, high-altitude Adelaide Hills Pinot, combining fruit from premium Piccadilly Valley vineyards with Michael Downer’s refined winemaking for exceptional elegance and complexity.
4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

Price:
Sale price$49.00
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In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Murdoch Hill’s 2023 Phaeton Pinot Noir is a wonderfully elegant Adelaide Hills Pinot, crafted by modern star winemaker Michael Downer.

This one takes its roots – quite literally – in the cool, lofty altitudes of Piccadilly Valley, where it draws from two distinct vineyards: the Lenswood site, with its 500m elevation and rich clonal heritage, and a touch of fruit from two higher sites around Mount Lofty and Ashton. 

Expect layers here – cherry and pomegranate give a juicy first hit, with cranberry and forest floor weaving a subtle earthiness in the background. There’s a hint of spice too, thanks to Downer’s precise use of whole bunch inclusion (just 10%) to keep the structure tight and pure. Maturation in puncheons and barrique (40% new oak) for eight months has lent the wine a soft, savoury framework.

This has long been one of the most sought-after wines in the Murdoch Hill range, and remains one of the Hills most consistwntly excellent Pinot Noirs. 

95 points
"Lifted and perfumed aromas of wild raspberries, orange peel and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly integrated tannins, focused acidity and notes of red currants, cassia bark and graphite. Very pure and fresh. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
- James Suckling

95 points - "Lifted and perfumed aromas of wild raspberries, orange peel and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly integrated tannins, focused acidity and notes of red currants, cassia bark and graphite. Very pure and fresh. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - James Suckling

92 points - "A combo of sources that sees 50% from Lenswood and 50% from Piccadilly, pinot noir all day.

Satisfying, lighter weight red of ripe, red cherry, cranberry, faint dusty spice, touches of mint and fennel with white pepper and clove/cinnamon. Fresh tasting with some dusty grip and pucker in the mix. A little diffuse in flavour would be a thought. Woody notes a thing, but neat and tidy overall. Easy drinking, very pinot, if you get my drift. Pleasurable." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 0 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • AR
    ADAM R.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    3 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    Reviewing
    2022 Murdoch Hill Phaeton Pinot Noir
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Good value Adelaide Hills Pinot

    Needs a little more time, but looks like it will be a lovely drinking Pinot in 12-24 months and is great value at this price if you have a little patience.

With 50% fruit from Lenswood and 50% from Piccadilly the Phaeton has layers of complexity. With a dense core of fruit and beautiful aromatic fragrance the Phaeton is still delicate and pure with cherries and forest floor berries, subtle spice, and a touch of warm earthiness. It perfectly showcases the delicate characters of Pinot Noir from the Lenswood and Piccadilly sub-regions.

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type Red
Body Light Bodied
Variety Pinot Noir
Country Australia
Region Adelaide Hills
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By The Wine Front
James Suckling
Critic Score 92
95
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

Murdoch Hill

Murdoch Hill is a family-owned winery captained by talented young winemaker Michael Downer.

Downer splits the range in two: his clean-cut, consistently high-quality ‘Estate’ wines are excellent value and perpetually reliable, and his quirky, adventurous ‘Artisan’ wines which offer an alt-styling and different shades of the region.

With the combination of high-quality Adelaide Hills fruit grown on the family estate and the undoubted talent in the winery, this is a Hills producer on the up and up!

Murdoch Hill Murdoch Hill

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