Swell Season Chardonnay

The Mornington Peninsula is recognised as one of Australia’s premier regions for cool-climate Pinot Noir, and at Montalto it’s our defining varietal. From estate-grown wines to Single Vineyard bottlings, each Pinot Noir reflects the character of its site - Red Hill, Tuerong and beyond - shaped by maritime breezes, ancient soils and meticulous winemaking. Fresh, juicy, and eager to please, this peninsula Pinot pours ruby-red with raspberry sweetness and plenty of fresh young fruit.
Flanders also sees a growing consumer awareness of those differences, where people are genuinely interested in the difference between say Tuerong and Merricks. “Then again, there are a lot of people that just think Mornington is Mornington and Yarra Valley is Yara Valley,” he says, noting that there is a general view of Mornington pinots being on the more fruit-rich side. With an interest in Champagne, Brian bouchard pere & fils chassagne-montrachet Stonier planted the first chardonnay in 1978, with pinot following in 1982, the same year Garry Crittenden established Dromana Estate. The use of concrete vessels is no experiment either- it’s a style of vessel that has been traditionally used for centuries in the Old World. We have chosen each shape specifically to enhance the texture of the  varietal within them and these beautiful, hand crafted vessels will last lifetimes. Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir is the perfect wine to take when you don’t know what’s for dinner.

Previously the Charles Sturt graduate started as his career as the winemaker at Willow Creek and has had winemaking roles at Heathcote Estate, Yabby Lake and Clyde Park. At Montalto, Black’s wines have been received with much critical claim and have garnered numerous awards. Amy Oliver completed a business degree in her early 20s, with a working holiday to the UK developing a love for hospitality and the wines of the world. A corporate career followed, but wine never left her thinking, completing her WSET 3 qualification while working as a project manager. That immersion saw her permanently spin off into wine, with stints working as an assistant sommelier at Andrew McConnell’s Cutler & Co, as well as the role of head sommelier at Neil Perry’s Rockpool Dining.
“Excellent perfume of old-fashioned roses interlaced with earthy, meaty tones, green tea and spice,” noted Nadeson. “On the palate, lovely layers of fine but grainy tactile tannins, which reinforce the overall savoury profile of the wine. A beautiful wine with real personality.” “Opens with lifted berry fruits,” wrote Buckle. Length of flavour lasts ages in your mouth and sustains interest while purity of Pinot Noir fruits is the primary focus.
Pinot noir had never been outside the orbit of Crittenden and McIntyre, with a well-honed appreciation for the wines of Burgundy. But the data suggested that it would simply be too hot for the grape. That data proved to be incorrect, and the early evidence in their vineyards, along with the pioneering wines and mentorship of Nat White, guided a change of direction in the vineyard. On the Peninsula, the maritime climate and a supposed similarity in heat summation and the like were touted as being uncannily close to Bordeaux. A homoclime (similar climate), in other words, which has been a yardstick for selecting many New World vineyard sites, though a not an infallible one.

It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. Wines in the range are made using select Mornington Peninsula fruit by the good people at Yarra Valley stalwarts and former Secret Bottle featured winery Mandala. Maressa wines were created by Charles Smedley and David Fesq, with a goal to express the delicious, refreshing styles that Mornington Peninsula does so well. All the grapes are grown in the Mornington region, and are made under the attentive hand of the Mandala winery team.
Excellent fruit intensity, structure, pH to acid relationship and fine-grained tannins guarantee long life and excellent bottle development. From 2 parcels aged 30 to 60 years old located in Meursault and Pommard this wine is 100% destemmed with no pigeage (plunging of the cap) or remontage used in the vinification. Aged in larger 300 litre barrels and is bottled before the harvest in August so as not to impart any overt oak influence and capture all the vibrantly fresh fruit. The resulting wine is vibrant lifted and very pretty yet also quite substantial for just a basic Bourgogne level.
Aromas of spiced rhubarb, juicy red cherries, Asian five spice and vanilla mingle with earthy notes and the distinct fruity spice notes of sassafras forest. It develops with spices from the whole bunch inclusion and French oak barrels. The palate is elegantly structured, offering a harmonious interplay of vibrant acidity and silky tannins. Mid-palate, the wine reveals layers of cranberry and pomegranate, complemented by a whisper of earthy minerality.

Sappy, moreish and complex, this wine can be enjoyed now but will gain interest over the medium term. Elegantly structured palate, presenting refined flavours of red cherry, ripe raspberry, and subtle cranberry, complemented by nuanced layers of gentle spices, subtle black tea leaf, and earthy minerality. Polished tannins and lively acidity ensure impeccable balance and sophisticated elegance. Light and feathery, with nutty flavours, bright acidity, a fine powdery tannin texture, and a firm red cherry and red fruited finish.
With nearly 18 months in bottle the rich yet elegant Lily is really staring to show itself. The wine has developed beautifully, the oak has integrated to become a background flavour and the fruit has really begun to sing. Juicy fruit flavours and tannins balancing the wine to the finish. With Secret Bottle, you can say goodbye to predictable choices and hello to a world of exciting possibilities. We handpick a diverse range of wines, meticulously chosen to showcase the unique flavours, regions, and stories that make them exceptional. Our selection process involves rigorous tastings, vineyard visits, and engaging with winemakers to ensure that every bottle we offer reflects our dedication to quality and authenticity.

The tannins and acid work in harmony to give this wine structure, length and freshness. Strawberry and  red cherry, a little paprika and earth, but kind of rosy too. It’s medium-bodied, red fruits with a pleasing gentle graphite tannin grip, some pomegranate tang and orange zest, with a sappy finish offering good length. A wine of distinct personality that offers plenty of drinking pleasure.
The finish is long and refined, with a delicate spiciness that lingers gracefully. This Pinot Noir exemplifies the finesse and complexity characteristic of its cool-climate origin, making it a benchmark for the varietal. A full fragrant nose of juniper, rose petal, and plum meld with spice notes of cardamon and sumac. The palate concentration is exceptional, a hallmark of a small yielding year on the Martinborough Terrace.

This Pinot is deep ruby red with brilliant clarity and aromas of black cherry, cranberries, cola root, and spice. With time, more undergrowth and savage characters come to the fore. The palate has a core of red fruits and gentle oak spices that lead to a structured and generous finish.
“As opposed to other Victorian pinot regions, the defining thing is that we’ve got three bodies of water around us,” says Garagiste’s Barnaby Flanders, who has worked in the region for two decades, including at Moorooduc Estate. Like many youthful Australian wine regions, that exploration of site differences and mapping out areas of similarity to identify subregions is a critical one. Also like many regions, the borders employ existing political boundaries, with the edges blurring together, even if the generalities hold true.