SUTHERLANDS CREEK PINOT NOIR 2023

Pinot Noir, mix of 5 different clones planted in 1998 from the warmer, drier Sutherland Creek vineyard in the Moorabool subregion. Grey & Brown loams with fragmented Granite. 30% whole-bunch. 8 to 10 days on skins during ferment, then pressed off to barrel. 8 months elevage in barrel, 20% new oak."My favourite block of Pinot Noir that comes into the winery and there is nothing else like it in Geelong. Interplanted clones, and hard to determine exactly what they are as the owners don't even know, but majority of MV6 from working with this site for 5 years now. I think this makes the most exciting Pinot in the range. Always higher acid, and really aromatic. I find 25-30% Whole Bunch on this block has worked the best and with looking at the fruit that comes off this site every year it seems to be where it always sits. The most delicate Pinot and showcases the site perfectly. Close planted and always has a very long ripening period, which gives such delicate and fine tannin, and great fruit complexity. Oak use is very much the spicy/savoury end and medium toast, and very tight grain." Ben Mullen.