Quealy Musk Creek Pinot Noir 2019

Quealy Musk Creek Pinot Noir is a single-vineyard Pinot from the coolest of the estate's Main Ridge sites.

Kevin McCarthy and Kathleen Quealy planted this vineyard in 1997, mostly to MV6, high on Main Ridge where ripening runs weeks behind the warmer blocks. In 2019 the home vineyard came in on 4 and 5 March while picking here did not start until 29 March. That makes it a marginal place for Pinot, so low yields and constant canopy work are not optional. The fruit was fully destemmed, with no whole bunches, and Tom McCarthy held off sulphur until pressing, trusting the vineyard's own biology. Ferments ran in two- and three-tonne vessels for four weeks with a single plunge a day, and only free-run juice went to barrel.

Dark cherry and cranberry with forest-floor savouriness and firm, fine tannin; the coolest site in the range tastes like it. Serve at 16 degrees, decanted. Roast duck, venison, or a mushroom and chestnut pie. It has the acidity for a fatty piece of pork belly too.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.