Maressa Pinot Noir 2025
- 92
- $40
- Drink by: 2026-2031
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This operation was founded to take advantage of just how glorious Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir can be, by Charles Smedley, who is also behind Mandala Wines, and David Fesq, whose family is an institution in the Australian wine scene and has been for decades. The fruit was destemmed into two-tonne stainless steel open fermenters before a quick cold soak and then fermentation with native yeasts. Post ferment, the wine underwent almost a week of maceration before being racked to French oak barriques and puncheons for eight months’ maturation. Love the label. A vibrant red/crimson, the wine offers delightfully lifted aromas and freshness. We have notes of mushrooms, raspberries, leaf litter, cherries and spices. There is a briary, savoury aspect to this wine which is rather intriguing. Of medium length, it finishes with fine, sleek tannins. Refreshing drinking now and over the next four to five years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
