I must admit, this estate is a new one for me. After many years travelling through Sunbury on the way to Melbourne’s prime airport, I knew there was more than just Craiglee, but this one is new. The winemaker, however, is not unknown to me: Alex Beckett is a Hunter Valley lad and made a swag of the alternative varieties for the well regarded Briar Ridge in Pokolbin.

Marnong Estate, Single Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Sunbury, 2024

Pale garnet in hue. Twiggy and forest floor earthiness. Warm Milo™ notes, torn cherries, soft charcuterie meats, nori sheets, jaffa, gun flint and a slick red sheen. Elegant and understated. Runs in the quiet, cool, Pinot lane. There’s a little stalky grip and some fun red fruit lift, but ultimately it stays reserved, with a lovely fine knit of tannin. Juicy strawberry echoes through a balanced finish.

RRP: $40
Alc: 12.7%
Rating: 93/100

Wine sample courtesy of Marnong Estate and Dialogue PR