Tasting Notes From Pinot Palooza 2024 - Part 1

Pinot Palooza, one of Australis most anticipated wine festivals, rolled into Sydney this past Friday (October 4th) delivering a smashing day out dedicated to Pinot Noir. With a focus on Australia and New Zealand's finest Pinot Noirs, the event gathered winemakers and wine enthusiasts alike for a day filled with tastings, education, and fun. As always, the festival did not disappoint, showcasing the nuances and regional expressions of this beloved varietal from some of AUNZs most celebrated wineries.

This is the first part of a three-part blog series in which I'll share my personal tasting notes. In part one I'll cover the Australian Pinot's I tasted, part two will cover the New Zealand Pinot's and I'll try and wrap everything up on part 3.

In full transparency my tasting notes got progressively worse as the day went on. No spittoons were provided so the only legitimate option when tasting was to enjoy the wine as intended. No complaints from me really!

Ok lets dive into my personal tasting highlights of the Australian Pinot Noirs from this year’s festival, featuring some of the most remarkable bottles from regions such as the Yarra Valley, Geelong, and Tasmania.

Oakridge Wines Vineyard Series Willowlake Pinot Noir 2022, Yarra Valley

Winner of the Best Yarra Valley Pinot at the 2023 Australian Pinot Challenge, this Pinot Noir was an immediate standout. It’s a brilliant, medium crimson red that captures the light beautifully. The bouquet is pure, filled with vibrant red and black fruits, intermingled with subtle floral notes of peony and a whisper of spice. The palate is equally captivating, offering a fresh and energetic profile with layered depth. The tannins are finely woven, persistent, yet lithe, adding a delicate structure to this already complex wine. A true representation of Yarra Valley Pinot Noir at its finest.

Oakridge Wines Vineyard Series Henk Pinot Noir 2023, Yarra Valley

The 2023 Henk Pinot Noir from Oakridge is a sensory delight, boasting beautifully lifted aromatics that transport you straight to the vineyard. Violets, rosewater, and black cherries dominate the nose, while raspberry, pomegranate, and subtle rhubarb nuances create a multifaceted profile. The traditional winemaking approach, featuring whole berry and whole bunch fermentation, shines through in the palate's silky texture and bright acidity. This Pinot Noir is both expressive and refined, perfectly encapsulating the beauty of Yarra Valley terroir.

Oakridge Wines 864 Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023, Yarra Valley

Another stellar example from Oakridge, the 864 Aqueduct Block Pinot Noir is immediately captivating with its bright garnet colour and aromatic intensity. Red fruits like pomegranate, cranberry, and cherry are prominent, balanced by flinty mineral notes and warm spices, including nutmeg and cinnamon. There’s also a lovely herbal undertone of sage and thyme derived from whole bunch fermentation. The palate is richly textured and satiny, delivering a balance of freshness, savoury complexity, and depth. A wine that evolves with each sip, showcasing both power and finesse.

Yering Station Village Pinot Noir 2023, Yarra Valley

Yering Station’s Village Pinot Noir is a vibrant and juicy expression of the varietal. The deep garnet red colour is matched by a nose filled with raspberries, pomegranate, and floral spice. On the palate, cherry and macerated strawberries take centre stage, coating the tongue with lush, ripe fruit flavours. The tannins are delicate, forming a fine lattice that supports the bright acidity and long finish. This is a playful yet structured wine, ideal for those who enjoy a fruit-forward Pinot with great freshness.

Yering Station Pinot Noir 2023, Yarra Valley

This 2023 Pinot Noir from Yering Station offers a more delicate and refined expression. A light ruby red in the glass, the nose is fragrant with raspberries, cranberries, and rose petals, all underscored by a gentle spice. The palate is smooth, offering a forward and easy-drinking experience with ultra-silky tannins and a finish that leaves you wanting more. While it’s approachable now, it will also reward short-term cellaring.

Yering Station Laura Barnes Pinot Noir 2023, Yarra Valley

A beautifully balanced Pinot Noir from Yering Station, the Laura Barnes offers bright crimson hues and an aromatic nose of crushed strawberries, redcurrants, and a touch of juniper. Light to medium-bodied, the palate delivers a delicate texture with silky tannins. While it is an enjoyable wine now, it may benefit from a bit more concentration in the mid-palate, but it still offers a delightful drinking experience with an elegance that will appeal to many.

Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir 2022, Yarra Valley

The Reserve Pinot Noir is an exemplary wine, displaying a light ruby hue and ultra-fragrant aromas of red cherries, cranberry, blood oranges, and a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate builds in complexity, offering layers of bright red fruit framed by silky, persistent tannins. The finish is long and graceful, with enough structure to ensure it will age beautifully over the next six to eight years. This is a Pinot that truly embodies the refinement and balance Yering Station is known for.

Provenance Wines Golden Plains Pinot Noir 2023, Ballarat Henty Geelong

Blended from six vineyards across southwest Victoria, this Pinot Noir is a classic cool-climate expression. In the glass, it shines with a bright ruby red colour, offering complex aromas of fragrant herbs, red cherry, and wild strawberry, accented by spice. The palate is elegant and medium-bodied, balancing sweet red fruits with savoury mineral undertones. The fresh acidity and fine tannins create a linear structure that enhances the wine’s length and finish. A beautiful, nuanced wine that showcases the diversity of southwest Victoria’s terroir.

Provenance Wines Geelong Pinot Noir 2022, Geelong

The 2022 Geelong Pinot Noir from Provenance is a deeply aromatic and complex wine. The nose opens with dark spices like star anise and cassia, followed by autumnal beetroot and high-quality oak. On the palate, fleshy black cherry and red currant dominate, supported by the cool-climate acidity that brings balance and freshness to the wine. The tannins are firm yet integrated, offering structure and depth that will allow this Pinot to age gracefully. A classic expression of Moorabool Valley Pinot Noir, showing both power and finesse.

Meadowbank Wines Pinot Noir 2023, Tasmania

Meadowbank’s 2023 Pinot Noir from Tasmania is a bright and fragrant wine, with red cherry, cranberry, and raspberry notes on the nose, alongside hints of watermelon and exotic spices. There’s also an intriguing complexity of dried meats and earth, which adds depth to the wine. The palate is spacious, with amaro and dried citrus rind providing a distinctive savoury edge. Tannins are powdery and fine, giving the wine a slightly wild, untamed feel while remaining balanced. This is an expressive Tasmanian Pinot that stands out for its uniqueness and vibrancy.

In the next part of our blog series, we’ll dive into the New Zealand Pinot Noirs that I tasted and how they compare to their Australian counterparts in terms of style, flavour, and regional expression. Stay tuned!