2025 Stonier Reserve Pinot Noir

The vineyard overhaul Julian Grounds and the crew put in at Stonier is paying massive dividends here. They’ve spent the last couple of years nursing the original 1982 plantings back to peak health, and this release shows they are right back at the top tier of Peninsula Pinot. It pulls together the best fruit from the Windmill, Stonier Family, and KBS sites, and it’s an absolute powerhouse of a Pinot.

What makes this special is the architectural structure. The fruit profile is dark and moody - think macerated black cherries and late-season plums - but it’s the non-fruit elements that dominate. You get heaps of leaf, woodsmoke, and a savory pepper character too.

The pallet is unforced and fleshy, backed by a buoyant line of freshness that keeps everything upright. It’s a serious, long-term prospect that really needs a few years in the dark to hit its stride.

97 points
"There’s a density here without it being a weighty wine, with exceptional tannin structure the key. Aromas and flavours marry well. The palate is supple and plush, with the acidity juicy and buoyant. Bravo."
- Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion)