2024 Elanto Vineyard Pinot Noir

Rich, supple and expansive with a long peacock’s tail like finish.

Elanto Vineyard, a 10.6-hectare high-density site on the Mornington Peninsula, is managed by acclaimed winemaker Sandro Mosele and his team. With 11,000 vines per hectare—four times the typical density—yields are limited to 300-500g per vine, enhancing concentration and power in the wines. Organic practices, deep soil cultivation, and volcanic basalt soils rich in iron stone encourage site-specific expression, while the vineyard's southeast aspect and cool sea breezes preserve natural acidity and freshness.
The five Pinot Noir vineyards—Vertex, Ironstone, Chicory, Kilnside, and Basalt—span 6.7 hectares on the upper slopes with basalt-rich soils. The red volcanic soils transition to shallower, stonier terrain mid-slope, producing lower yields, concentrated flavors, and a distinct tannin profile. Each vineyard was harvested and vinified separately, with chilled, destemmed fruit (3-5% whole bunches) undergoing cold soak and natural fermentation in concrete vats. After 25-30 days on skins, the wine was pressed and aged in a mix of new and older French oak barriques for 11 months before blending and bottling.

Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Perfumed aromas of violet, dark cherry, strawberry and anise soar from the glass trailed by some spicy cedar, forest floor, subtle dried herb and brambly rhubarb like notes. Rich, supplely textured dark cherry, strawberry and anise flavours expand across the palate with a peacock’s tail like power wave. Spicy cedar, rhubarb, forest floor, delicate infusions of dried herbs and bramble are spread across the back half. Seamlessly integrated, velvet smooth tannins and fresh underlying acidity. Finishes super seductive and very long.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews……
What a beguiling wine – only the second release and showing complexity far beyond its years. It’s certainly youthful and pretty with heady aromas of florals and autumn leaves with flavours of wild strawberries, dark cherries and pips, chinotto, Middle Eastern spices and some poached rhubarb, too. The medium-bodied palate is evenly poised, laden with filigree tannins (lots of them) and energising acidity; oak (25% new) completely integrated. This has depth, some grip, a little amaro bitterness on the finish and, of utmost importance, it will age but it’s oh-so pleasing to drink today. Drink by 2036.
97 points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

The intensity of fruit here is fantastic, as is the length of the finish, as is the tannin profile. This wine is out of the ordinary on these matters alone. It tastes of stewed red and black cherries, peppercorns, cedar and undergrowth, the dry crackle of the finish – yet sluiced with fruit – one for the ages. The slightest degree of warmth is my only hesitation; in all other respects this is superb. Drink 2026-2033+
95 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front