The 2023 Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Pinot Noir exemplifies the quiet power and precision of the Mornington Peninsula’s Tuerong subregion. A cool, maritime growing season brought moderate temperatures and a long ripening window, resulting in fruit of striking balance and purity. Crafted by Tom Carson and his long-standing team, the wine reflects Yabby Lake’s continued mastery of site-driven expression—subtle, detailed, and built for graceful aging.
Fruit from Blocks 1, 2, 3, and 5 was hand-picked between 14–20 March. A mix of MV6 (40%), G5V15 (40%), Abel (12%), 667 (5%) and D4V2 (3%) clones was gently destemmed into open oak vats for wild fermentation, with 10–20% whole bunch inclusion. The wine matured undisturbed in 500L French oak barrels (25% new) before bottling in January 2024.
Tasting Note
Bright crimson in colour. Aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant, and subtle spice rise from the glass. The palate is intense yet refined, layered with silky, fine-grained tannins and a long, lingering finish. A vibrant, mid-weight Mornington Pinot Noir of poise and finesse.
Small-Batch Detail
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Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
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Vineyard: Yabby Lake, Tuerong (northern Peninsula)
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Clones: MV6 (40%), G5V15 (40%), Abel (12%), 667 (5%), D4V2 (3%)
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Fermentation: Wild yeast, 10–20% whole bunch
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Maturation: 500L French oak puncheons (25% new), 10 months
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Alcohol: 13.5%
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Cellaring: 5–10+ years
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Winemakers: Tom Carson, Chris Forge & Luke Lomax
Expert Reviews
⭐ 96 Points – James Suckling
“Wonderfully expressive and lifted with aromas of damson plums, potpourri and blood oranges. The medium-bodied palate has finely integrated tannins and focused acidity, giving multifaceted notes of wild raspberries, blueberry bush, dried herbs and spices. Very complex and complete. 20% whole-cluster fermentation.”
⭐ 94 Points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“Medium red with a tinge of purple and a complex foresty bouquet of sour cherry, undergrowth and leaf-litter. Intense and bright with fleshy richness and very fine, supple tannins in perfect balance. Delicious pinot noir.”
⭐ 94 Points – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
“At first simple, but it grew and grew—ending up anything but. It tastes of peanut shells, black cherries, cloves and sweet spice, with smoky reduction and twiggy herb-chinotto notes. Tightens as it breathes. The wine’s quality becomes abundantly clear.”
Fine Pinot Note
A benchmark single-vineyard release from one of the Mornington Peninsula’s leading producers. Combining purity, precision, and understated complexity, the 2023 Yabby Lake is a graceful and deeply satisfying Pinot Noir that will reward both early drinking and extended cellaring.
