Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Pinot Noir 2023 - Mt. Barker, Western Australia

96/100 - Ray Jordan
Bronze - Mike Bennie, Wine Companion
Bronze - Mike Bennie, Wine Companion (2022 vintage)

5 Stars Winery - James Halliday

Ray Jordan "The colour is brilliant with a crimson red-pink colour. It was a slightly cooler vintage than previous vintages. About 30% whole bunches have been included, and then a week of cold soaking before being left to ferment with wild yeasts. There is a nice sour cherry and strawberry aroma here, and it’s had about 24% new oak. The palate is seamlessly integrated, but there is tannin here and that high natural acidity to carry the palate forward. This is a wine with structure and purpose."

James Suckling "Lifted, fragrant aromas of black cherries, red currants, bay leaves, rose petals and graphite. The palate is light- to medium-bodied with bright acidity and fine tannins, showing cranberries, crushed blueberries, cloves and forest floor. Precise and savory with a floral undertone."

Mike Bennie, Wine Companion "This is a warm and ripe pinot noir. Warm forest berry compote, clove and cinnamon spice, chocolate powder, hazelnut, truffle and resinous oak notes sit in the wine. It feels breathy with warmth."

Mike Bennie, Wine Companion "Meaty, smoky Pinot Noir of medium weight, with concentrated fruit flavours and lavish woody spice. Big perfume of woodsmoke, char, coffee and dark cherry, with similar flavours and a spicy, dry finish." (2022 vintage)

James Suckling "Vibrant aromas of wild blackberries, cherries, dried herbs and lead pencil. The palate is light-bodied with crunchy tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of blueberry bush, cinnamon bark and boysenberries. Refined and polished." (2022 vintage)

Western Australian winery, Plantagenent is acclaimed internationally for its consistently highly-awarded, quality wines produced from its five vineyards located in the cool climate region of the Great Southern. It is known for its highly aromatic riesling, tangy citrus-tinged chardonnay, exceptional Rhône-style shiraz and suberb cabernet sauvignon. The five estate vineyards are overseen by Chief Viticulturist Jordan Ellis whose philosophy is sustainability and remaining true to the terroir of the region.

The Real Review "Plantegent is a pioneer of the Great Southern region of Western Australia with vineyards first planted in 1986 and the first commercial winery established in the region. Celebrated for its rich heritage, the winery is owned the Lionel Samson family, the oldest family owned business in Western Australia established in Fremantle in 1829. Plantaganet has five vineyards in the Mount Barker sub region each with the unique characteristics, ancient soils and a cool maritime climate cretaing expressive wines of provenance, quality & prestige. "

James Halliday, Halliday Australian Wine Companion "Plantagenet has honed its flagship varieties into a distinct Great Southern wine style; a depth of lively flavour, seamless elegance and natural purity"

The Great Southern is emerging as a wine region of international significance and reputation. It is the largest wine growing region in Australia and is the second largest producer of grapes in Western Australia. It is a landscape of forested cliffs and resplendent mountain ranges, grazing pastures and towns steeped in history. The regional climate ranges from the coastal, maritime subregions of Albany and Denmark to the inland, continental subregions of Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River. The predominant soils are similar to those of the Margaret River region - either lateritic gravelly sandy loams (marri country) or sandy loams deriving directly from granite and gneissic bedrocks. Near perfect conditions for grape growing has lured some of the most creative and talented winemakers to call this land their home and become part of its ancient story.

The region is known for commitment to be sustainable, and organic, and is attracting some of Australia’s best winemakers. In 2023 the region dominated the Halliday Wine Companion Awards with its Top Rated 2023 Rieslings winning 10 of the top 40 awards. Other varietals from the region also received exceptional ratings of 97, 96 & 95 points.

Pinot Noir is the dominant red wine grape of Burgundy, now produced in wine regions all over the world, including western Germany, northern Italy, Chile, South Africa, Australia and, perhaps most notably, California, Oregon and New Zealand.

The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.