Stonier Reserve Pinot Noir 2011 (Mornington Peninsula, Vic)
13%, Screwcap, $55
Source: Tasting
www.stonier.com.au

A tough vintage on the Peninsula (up to 70% crop losses in some vineyards), writ large here. The pale colours, high acidity and aneamic palate – all of it spells out a cool, wet season where just getting grapes ripe was a struggle.

There is a certain carefulness to the winemaking here (just enough enriching oak and careful levels of extraction), which is a nice nod to Mike Symons skills, but it can’t quite cover up for some very lean fruit and raw, hard acidity.

Little joy for mine. Will it improve? No doubt. I couldn’t drink it now though.

Drink: 2014-2018
Score: 15/20, 83/100
Would I buy it? No.