Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir 2018

There are not many great Pinot Noirs currently coming out of Western Australia. Pinot Noir is one of the most fickle grape varieties and to date only a handful of sites have been discovered that suit it in the west – this is one of them.

The first components of the Mount Barrow Pinot Noir vineyard in Mount Barker were planted in 2005. It is one the highest vineyards in Western Australia, planted at between 280 and 420 metres, which, compounded with a south facing slope, provides that cooler climate that pinot noir craves. Fruit for this vintage comes from the highly regarded Burgundian clones 114 and 115, although a new planting of French clones is destined for inclusion in this wine for the 2021 vintage.

Bright mid cherry in colour, it is a fragrant and meaty Pinot style. Dark cherry, spice, beetroot and dark earth aromas are supported by prominent vanillin oak. Dry, mid weight, fleshy and supple, it has a beautifully silky mid palate with haunting autumnal rotting leaf and spice nuances. The wine finishes with superb length and purity plus soft tannins. The best vintage of this label yet.

Buy this wine here.