2023 Ten Minutes by Tractor Down The Hill Pinot Noir

Ten Minutes by Tractor has long been one of the Mornington Peninsula’s benchmarks for Pinot, and their “Down The Hill” bottling brings together fruit from the estate’s lower-elevation vineyards. These sites tend to ripen a little earlier, giving wines that are plush, open and immediately appealing, while still carrying the detail and finesse that defines the house style.

The 2023 season on the Peninsula was mild and relatively long, which meant steady ripening and fruit that arrived at the winery in great condition. As always, the winemaking was gentle – wild ferments, careful extraction and French oak that frames rather than dominates.

What you get in the glass is a Pinot that’s fragrant and silky, with plenty of bright red fruits and spice, a fine line of tannin and a long, easy finish. It’s approachable now, made for drinking in its youth, but has just enough structure to reward short-term cellaring too.

“Down The Hill” has always been about charm and drinkability, and the 2023 shows exactly why it’s become such a favourite in the Ten Minutes range.

95 points
"An excellent and quite densely packed pinot noir."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)