92 points - "What is mostly whole berries with a small proportion of whole bunch 5% goes into open top fermenters for 12 days. Matured in 15% new French oak. This vintage is revealing some glossy red cherries, lingonberries and some goji fruit. Some brown spices of nutmeg and cocoa powder. What feels to be a core of red fruit is nicely complemented by warm red earth and autumnal cooking spice. This is well integrated with a slew of fresh acidity and most very sultry and fine tannins that slip down the side of the palate. As equally pretty as the previous vintage but in shades and hues of ruby watercolour tones. This is drinking beautifully now. Perhaps with savoury notes of corn beef and white sauce." - Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

90 points - "Very light, garnet colour, bright though. Has a little creaminess to texture, vanilla and cherry, some cranberry drink notes, a lick of raspberry liquorice and a pinch of salted herbs. Fresh feeling, pretty and rosy, cheery as a lighter weight red and generally just easy to chug down. It isn’t fancy, but it is a very well made, approachable pinot." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

Vintage
A mild winter led to earlier than usual budburst, resulting in an early vintage. The season was cool and wet again (similar to 2020, 2021, and 2023). The largest deluge of rain occurred in January (180mm), presenting a significant challenge for the vineyard team. Despite this, diligent work delivered a beautifully clean and ripe crop to the winery.

Vineyard
Sourced from a selection of vineyards across the Yarra Valley, with a focus on Seville East in the Upper Yarra. Additional fruit comes from Healesville and St. Andrews. Vineyard altitudes range from 130m to 240m above sea level, with soil types including red volcanic loams and grey clay loams over mudstone.

Vinification
The majority of fruit is destemmed, with only a small portion (5%) included as whole bunches. Fermentation occurs in open-top fermenters over approximately 12 days. The wine is then pressed and matured in French oak (15% new). Assembled and bottled in December 2024.

Tasting Note
Bright ruby red in colour, with aromas of cranberries, strawberries, and fresh thyme. A fine tannin structure results from gentle skin extraction, leading to a precise and long palate featuring maraschino cherry and pomegranate. A pleasing vermouth-like bitterness from the stalk component adds refreshing character.

Technical Information
ALC: 13.5% | pH: 3.60 | TA: 5.7