97 points - "Planted in '84 and extended in '86; certified organic in '21. 100% destemmed and matured in French hogsheads (40% new). A medium-deep, crimson ruby. Exotic aromas of intense, brambly red and black fruits intermingle with dark rose, blood orange and a little leather. The medium-bodied palate is simultaneously concentrated yet beautifully balanced with ripe, persistent and supple tannins rounding out a seriously good wine to drink over the next 10–15 years at least." - Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "The 2024 Serré Pinot Noir is earthy and floral on the nose, with wet garden rose, asphalt, rocks, moss, peat, clove, aniseed and dark chocolate. The palate reveals a splay of firm tannins that feel everywhere and nowhere at once. This is a very smart, serious Pinot Noir here, one worthy of the cellar for the future, but it will deliver immediate pleasure as well. This is warmly recommended." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

95 points - "“Serré, planted in 1984 and extended in 1986, certified organic in 2021, is planted to 1.2m x 1.2m vine spacing, MV6 clone Pinot Noir on own roots.” The thing about this wine is the length of its finish. It’s quite stunning. It’s a super-savoury style with earth, sap, beet and decayed rose characters swimming through red cherry, poached strawberries and rhubarb. Oak is a minor player here though there’s a nuttiness to the aftertaste, and a (gently) velvety aspect to the mouthfeel. This wine is in desperate need of another 3-5 years in bottle but the length of the finish says it all in terms of its quality." - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

95 points - "“Serré, planted in 1984 and extended in 1986, certified organic in 2021, is planted to 1.2m x 1.2m vine spacing, MV6 clone Pinot Noir on own roots.” The thing about this wine is the length of its finish. It’s quite stunning. It’s a super-savoury style with earth, sap, beet and decayed rose characters swimming through red cherry, poached strawberries and rhubarb. Oak is a minor player here though there’s a nuttiness to the aftertaste, and a (gently) velvety aspect to the mouthfeel. This wine is in desperate need of another 3-5 years in bottle but the length of the finish says it all in terms of its quality." - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

Serré, planted in 1984 and certified organic in 2021, is likely the oldest high-density vineyard planting in Australia. Inspired by Stuart Hooper’s love of the great wines of Burgundy, the tight spacing and low trellising replicate the iconic vineyards of the Côte d'Or.

Viticulture

Serré, planted in 1984 and extended in 1986, certified organic in 2021, is planted to 1.2m x 1.2m vine spacing, MV6 clone Pinot Noir on its own roots. This is likely the oldest high-density planting of Pinot Noir in Australia. North-south row orientation on a complex soil profile of mixed clay over weathered basalt and limestone is naturally low-yielding; this vineyard is responsible for some of our finest, most powerful, and long-lived Pinot Noir wines.

Winemaking

The fruit was handpicked, completely destemmed, and fermented on skins for 10 days before pressing to French oak hogshead barrels, 40% of which were new. The wine was left undisturbed, went through malolactic fermentation in spring, and was blended and bottled in February.

Tasting Note

Serré shows the characteristic dark fruit, spice, and herbal complexity on the nose. The palate is powerful, firm, and tightly framed, with serious tannin structure and depth. This vintage speaks to the warmer conditions, but still with focus and intensity. Built for age and shaped by the site’s density and vine age. A wine of presence and power.