A light to medium bodied pinot that captures so much about the Mornington Peninsula. There is a sense of vineyard expression here which initially strikes on the nose but is then confirmed on the palate. There’s good flesh with savoury chalky subtleties working with the bright red fruit. Finely integrated with a smooth effortlessly long finish. Points: 95/100
From this new operation at Main Ridge on the Mornington Peninsula, one of the finest sites in the Southern Hemisphere for good Pinot, this is a cracking wine. Pale crimson in colour, the aromas run through spices, herbs, raspberries, florals, maraschino cherries and bacon fat. Even gentle nudges of citrus make for an elegant Pinot with class and character. Good focus, silky tannins, a wine which dances as further red fruits emerge on the palate. Fine balance, excellent length, a really exciting Pinot to enjoy over the next six to eight years. Points: 95/100
Pale red and light in the glass. Sappy, bunchy aromas of white pepper, blueberry, Campari, rose petal, bramble and dried herbs. Textured, mouth-filling, layered and quite supple and seamless on the palate. There's plenty of fleshy, red fruited flavours along with spice, sap, dried herbs and creamy oak. The length is smart and the tannins have real purpose and drive. Points: 93/100
Among the highest elevation vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula, basalt-derived and non-irrigated. Very good mid-weighted pinot noir, hedging its structural hand with a card of typical strawberry succulence and fruit sweetness, a tingle of whole bunch garden herb thrums against a birdcage of wiry, yet svelte tannin, compressing any overlay of fruit into a sense of savoriness and tension. A little sweet, to be churlish, but New World drinkers will find it far more moreish than most. There is a great deal to like about this promising inaugural release, while looking forward to future ones. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. Points: 95/100
Anthony Fikkers playing with the Mornington Peninsula fruit for the first time under the new Joval’s label, Southern Light Vineyards. He says he ‘yarrafied’ the MP Pinot. Sounds murderous. The Ghostgum Vineyard lays at the top of Main Ridge on red volcanic soils. 300 dozen made. Quiet nose at first, needs a moment to open up. It’s low key, showing mineral tones of wet rocks, sous-bois, savoury and meaty elements, dead flowers. It ventures strongly into the umami zone. Spice and clean plummy fruit on the palate, it has a beautiful detail, sour juice and a hint of liquorice and nougat that develops in the glass. There’s a fair bit of whole bunch in here, but well tucked in, not sticking out. Tannins are supportive and in the background. Finished on a blood orange, herbal amaro lift. Nicely ‘yarrafied’. Points: 92/100
The 2021 Pinot Noir Ghostgum Vineyard displays a combination of elegance and power of red cherry, damp earth and star anise aromas with a brooding core of charcuterie. It is a finer, ethereal style, with waves of spicy, red berry fruit flavors and a pinpoint balance between fresh acidity and silky tannins. It shows serious finesse and is delicious now but will hold over the medium term. Points: 94/100
