Dalrymple Mt Lord Pinot Noir 2023

Dalrymple’s Mt. Lord Pinot Noir 2023 is a striking single-vineyard wine that captures the steep, wind-swept elegance of Coal River Valley. The Mt. Lord Vineyard, established on the eastern slopes of the Pontos Hills, rises from 134–156 metres above sea level on dolerite soils, its vines clinging to a narrow ledge between rocky outcrops and bare hillside. Meticulously hand-tended, these low-yielding blocks deliver a wine of aromatic purity, mineral drive and age-worthy finesse. dalrymple-mt-lord-pinot…

The 2023 vintage was shaped by a La Niña pattern: cooler southeast airflow, above-average rainfall, and extended ripening. Yields were reduced by cool spring conditions, but the long, slow ripening created fruit of excellent intensity and natural acidity. Hand-harvested on 16 April 2023, a small portion of whole bunches was included for structure and lift. Wild fermentation in open-top vessels with 14–16 days on skins preceded gentle pressing into French oak barriques (30% new) for 10 months, with natural malolactic in spring. dalrymple-mt-lord-pinot…

The bouquet opens with ripe cranberry, blue florals, and olive tapenade, layered over subtle liquorice root, damp earth, and clove. With air, darker notes of plum skin, blueberry and Tasmanian native herbs emerge. The palate is medium-bodied yet focused, balancing red cherry and tamarillo fruit with fine tannins, bright linear acidity, and savoury five-spice and flinty mineral edges. It finishes long and restrained, rewarding both immediate drinking and short-term cellaring. Dalrymple Estate Mt Lor…

Small-Batch Detail

• Region: Coal River Valley, Tasmania

• Single Vineyard: Mt. Lord (est. 2014, first release 2022)

• Elevation: 134–156 m | Soil: Dolerite | Aspect: East-facing

• Fermentation: Open-top, wild yeast | 14–16 days on skins | Partial whole bunch

• Maturation: 10 months in French oak barriques (30% new)

• Alcohol: 13.5% | pH: 3.83 | TA: 5.9 g/L

• Closure: Diam | Cellaring: 3–5 years

• Winemaker: Peter Caldwell

Expert Review
⭐ 96 Points – The Real Review

“Deep-ish red with a tinge of purple and a bouquet of black cherry with traces of beetroot and Campari. Full and generous, even opulent on the palate, with terrific power and density from high extract and concentrated fruit. Abundant, supple tannins and a long, satisfying finish—a seriously impressive Pinot.” Dalrymple Estate Mt Lor…

FinePinot Note
An elegant and site-pure Tasmanian Pinot Noir that marries fragrant red fruit with savoury mineral complexity. Mt. Lord 2023 is a wine of restraint and depth, perfectly suited to slow-cooked lamb shoulder, mushroom risotto, or roast duck with tamarillo glaze.

Tasmania, Australia

(Image source : Tolpuddle Vineyard)

Tasmania is Australia’s southernmost wine region. Its commercial vineyards date back to 1823, when Bartholomew Broughton planted the first vines. Incidentally, the very first vines in Victoria and South Australia also originated from Tasmania. The Tasmanian wine industry then lay dormant for nearly 100 years due to the gold rush, with commercial winemaking only resuming in the 1950s. After 70 years of development, Tasmania has become synonymous with premium wines, especially Pinot Noir. The island is divided into several sub‑regions—Tamar Valley, Pipers River, Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, Huon Valley, and the East Coast. Among these, Coal River Valley is the most sought‑after: the winner of the 2024 Australian Pinot Noir Challenge hails from there, as does the highly coveted Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir. For a Pinot Noir enthusiast, this is a region not to be overlooked.