Eldridge Estate of Red Hill Burkitt Blend Pinot Noir 2020

Here is an opportunity to save lives, to make a difference, to do something for fellow Australians in need. How often can we say that in the same breath as wine?

On December 14, 2019, as COVID was breaking out in China, Mornington Peninsula winemaker, David Lloyd, was struck down with cancer. By vintage time, he was laid up in the Peter McCallum Hospital in Melbourne being treated for stage 4 Burkitt Lymphoma. He would not leave hospital until April 9.

As he worried not only about his health but his livelihood, back home at Eldridge Estate at Red Hill a team of local winemakers and friends sprang into action to produce David’s 2020 vintage wines. Lead maker was George Mihaly at Paradigm Hill assisted by Steve Marshall, the logistical brain, who arranged for tanks and barrels to be shipped across the Peninsula to associated wineries. The operation’s lynchpin was David’s wife, Carol Crowther, who juggled her veterinary practice with regular visits to David passing along questions asked by the team. It was a mighty effort with around 20 locals banding together. You can learn more by looking up the Vintage 2020 Team on www.eldridge-estate.com.au

Now in remission, David Lloyd, wants to give something back to the amazing Peter Mac team of medicos and staff who saved his life. That’s where you come in. For every bottle sold of the 2020 Burkitt Blend Pinot Noir 2020, David will donate $20 to the Peter MacCallum Foundation. “There was only a little over four barrels produced, so if everyone likes the wines and it sells quickly, it will mean I donate about $30,000,” says David.

The Burkitt Blend was the only pinot noir made at Eldridge Estate in 2020. Following David’s bedside instructions, it was made along similar lines to his usual flagship pinot; the blend was almost the same, the oak mix with 30% new oak was also the same. “Furthermore, this is the very first time that I have used all eight clones of pinot grown here in the one wine,” he adds. James Sexton at Main Ridge Estate processed two batches of pinot fruit, Kevin Bell at Hurley Vineyard looked after fruit from the MV6 clone, while George Mihaly at Paradigm Hill managed the 777 clone. The result is a gracious, fine-edged wine.

Bright, juicy, fresh red cherries, raspberries lead the way, but far from overtly fruity, it takes a turn towards the aromatic introducing the scent of violet, musk and vanilla. A touch of stems introduces a herbal overlay. There’s a tension between fruit, tannin and oak; a sinewiness that is very much Mornington Peninsula in style, that is both reserved and relaxed at the same time. This is no try hard kind of wine with all the bells and whistles ringing loud. It asks for a little more thought, a little more of your attention.

David Lloyd puts it all nicely into place when he says, “The charm of this wine is in its ethereal pinosity that is aromatically alive.”

Buy the wine here to donate to the Peter MacCallum Foundation.