Mulline Sutherlands Creek Pinot Noir 2023

Pinot Noir, mix of 5 different clones planted in 1998 from the warmer, drier Sutherland Creek vineyard in the Moorabool subregion. Grey & Brown loams with fragmented Granite. 30% whole-bunch. 8 to 10 days on skins during ferment, then pressed off to barrel. 8 months elevage in barrel, 20% new oak.

“My favourite block of Pinot Noir that comes into the winery and there is nothing else like it in Geelong. Interplanted clones, and hard to determine exactly what they are as the owners don’t even know, but majority of MV6 from working with this site for 5 years now. I think this makes the most exciting Pinot in the range. Always higher acid, and really aromatic. I find 25-30% Whole Bunch on this block has worked the best and with looking at the fruit that comes off this site every year it seems to be where it always sits. The most delicate Pinot and showcases the site perfectly. Close planted and always has a very long ripening period, which gives such delicate and fine tannin, and great fruit complexity. Oak use is very much the spicy/savoury end and medium toast, and very tight grain” – Ben Mullen

“A single-vineyard wine from the Strathmore Vineyard, planted with MV6 and Abel clones in the late 1990s; 20% whole bunches. Matured in 30% new puncheons and barriques. A deepish crimson ruby. More darkly fruited and concentrated than last year’s version. Dark cherries, damson plums, peony and spice on the bouquet. Saturates the palate, which is concentrated, structured, fleshy and very long. It’s so good now but will get even better over the next six to eight years and probably longer. Another superb 2023 Geelong pinot from the two Bens.” – 97 Points Philip Rich, Wine Companion 

“Last year’s release was made with MV6 and Abel clone pinot noir, on vines planted in 1998 at Sutherlands Creek in the Moorabool Valley. I assume this release is the same. It presents a bed of fruit-filled flavour, all macerated and strewn with herbs, and while it sings and impresses through the mainstay of the palate, it’s the finish that really moves the bar higher. This wine pushes flavour well beyond the point where it had every reason to stop. The winemaker probably won’t like me saying this, but it’s a Pinot Noir that feels very Australian, in a positive way. It’s varietal, but it feels “very MV6”. Its flavours nestle into the palate, rather than being over-eager to lift off and out. It has that feel of being settled, like a cat after it’s finished kneading your lap. And yet it has that finish, that extra soar. It’s pretty special.” – 95+ Points Campbell Mattinson, Winefront