The Abel Clone: The Smuggled 'Gumboot' Vine Transforming Australian Pinot Noir
Heard of Pinot Noir? Great. Heard of MV6? Maybe you read our last post. Now, what if we told you there’s another Pinot Noir clone making waves in Australia with an origin story straight out of an international spy movie?
Enter the Abel clone—a vine allegedly smuggled from the most famous vineyard on earth inside a pair of muddy gumboots.
If MV6 is the hardworking pioneer of Australian Pinot Noir, the Abel clone is the mysterious, sophisticated newcomer. Grab a glass, because this clone’s history and its impact on modern Australian Pinot Noir—especially down in Tasmania and the Yarra Valley—is a story worth savoring.
The Legendary Gumboot Story
To understand the Abel clone, you have to look across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand in the 1970s. Legend has it that a traveler returning from Burgundy brought back a single, illicit cutting taken from the hallowed grounds of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)—arguably the most prestigious and tightly-guarded Pinot Noir estate in the world.
A customs officer named Malcolm Abel intercepted the traveler. But Malcolm wasn’t just a customs officer; he was also a passionate viticulturist. Realizing the unimaginable value of the cutting, he reportedly sent it to a government research station for quarantine. When it was cleared, Abel planted it in his own vineyard. Eventually, he shared cuttings with his friends at the iconic Ata Rangi winery. From there, the "Gumboot Clone" (now officially known as the Abel clone) became legendary.
Why It’s a Big Deal in Australia
While the Abel clone found its first fame in New Zealand’s Martinborough region, Australian winemakers quickly took notice. As Australian Pinot Noir began shifting its absolute focus towards ultra-premium, cool-climate regions like Tasmania, the Yarra Valley, and the Mornington Peninsula, viticulturists started looking for clones that could add serious depth and backbone to their blends.
The Abel clone was the perfect draft pick. Unlike some clones that are highly sensitive to heat or prone to dropping their acidity quickly, the Abel clone is resilient. It thrives in Australia’s coolest pockets, producing tiny, intensely concentrated berries that are packed with structure.
What Does the Abel Taste Like?
"If our homegrown MV6 is the well-rounded poet who can also pitch a cricket ball, the Abel clone is the brooding, sharply-dressed architect."
In the glass, it tends to deliver darker fruit profiles—think black cherries, wild blackberries, and sometimes a hint of dark plum. But its real signature is its savoury edge and serious structure. You’ll often find complex notes of dried earth, baking spices, and a distinctive, muscular tannin profile that coats the palate.
It’s often less "pretty and floral" than Dijon clones like 114 or 115, but it makes up for it with incredible palate length and serious age-ability. When you taste a Pinot Noir that feels like it commands your attention right from the first sip, there’s a good chance the Abel clone is doing the heavy lifting.
Taste the Abel Clone Legacy
Reading about it is one thing, but tasting the 'Gumboot Clone' is another entirely. If you want to experience the structure and history of this famous clone, explore these standout cellared bottles.
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir
The rarest estate that Malcolm Abel shared his smuggled DRC cuttings with. The purest starting point.
Shop Ata Rangi
Moorooduc Estate Pinot Noir
A masterful example of how the Abel clone provides the savoury backbone in Mornington Peninsula.
Shop Moorooduc