95 Points - Jeni Port | 95 Points - Ken Gargett
Located at Red Hill on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Estate consistently produce some of Victoria's leading Pinot Noir. Port Phillip Estate Balnarring Pinot Noir represents the exploration of their Balnarring vineyard, which was acquired by Port Phillip Estate in 2007.
The 2025 Port Phillip Estate Balnarring Pinot Noir is another brilliant example of Peninsula Pinot Noir delivering a heady mixture of black cherry and blackcurrant aromas along with some spicy whole-bunch-derived complexity. The medium weighted palate delivers loads of juicy dark cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavours which are a feature of this lovely approachable Pinot Noir.
"95 Points. Offers a different Pinot perspective to its higher elevated Red Hill sibling. The Balnarring vineyard is just 50-60m above sea level and the fruit here was fermented in large format wooden foudre as well as stainless steel. Solid crimson hues. Builds on a deep, savoury-influenced style where dark fruits mix with violet florals, dried herbs and rosemary, baking spices and an added dimension of game meat savouriness. Excellent depth of flavour and interest explored over a line of lacy tannins. Superb balance, light and shade, and still has so much to offer over more time in bottle. $44. Drink by: 2026-2035"- Jeni Port, Wine Pilot.
"95 Points. Planted in 1997, the original Pinot Noir vines were added to, by the inclusion of a higher density planting in later years. Fermentation was in a mix of stainless steel vats and larger format wooden foudre. The team incorporated 15% of whole bunches in the fermentation, which took eighteen days. The wine was pressed into French oak barriques, 15% new, for maturation over the next eleven months. A pale but vibrant crimson, with hints of the Blue Mountains haze. The nose offers notes of strawberries and cherries, chocolate, bay leaves, dried herbs and a touch of vanilla. Good focus, there is quite a creamy texture here, and we do see some early complexity. So much to love here. Juicy acidity with a lingering finish, a touch of sour cherry is evident as the wine comes to a conclusion. It finishes with silky tannins and should provide pleasure for the next eight to ten years at least."- Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot.
