Porongurup Pinot Noir 2023

Tasting Notes:

• Colour: A bright, deep crimson red with slight purplish hues, inviting and vibrant.
• Aromatics: Fragrant red fruit aromas of cranberry and pomegranate, with a subtle smoky edge adding depth and intrigue.
• Palate: A beautifully delicate Pinot, bursting with fresh cranberry and tamarillo flavours, balanced by gentle tannins and light charred notes. Its moderate weight and good acidity provide a smooth, textured mouthfeel, with a firm, yet clean finish.
• Finish: Light, fresh, and gently tannic with a smooth, lingering finish that showcases its balance.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

• Grilled Salmon or Tuna: The bright acidity and fruity character pair perfectly with fatty fish like grilled salmon or tuna.
• Roast Duck: The gentle tannins and subtle smokiness work wonderfully with rich duck dishes, especially when served with a berry-based sauce.
• Mushroom Risotto: The earthy flavours of mushrooms are complemented by the wine’s depth and structure, creating a harmonious pairing.
• Charcuterie: Try it with a variety of cured meats like prosciutto or salami, where the wine’s acidity and texture shine.

Vineyard & Winemaking:

Sourced from the Mount Trio vineyard in the Porongurup region, where the 20-30-year-old Pinot Noir vines thrive in the cool, moderate climate. The low-yielding vines produce fruit that ripens slowly, allowing for optimal flavour development. The wine was carefully crafted to highlight the cool-climate characteristics of the region, and it underwent traditional winemaking techniques to preserve its purity and complexity.

Technical Data:

• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• Region: Porongurup, Great Southern, Western Australia
• Alcohol: 13.5% by Vol | 8.0 Standard Drinks
• Cellaring: Best enjoyed now but can cellar for 3-5 years for additional complexity.

Best Serving Temperature:

• Ideal Serving Temperature: 14-16°C
  Serve slightly chilled to enjoy its lively fruit character and balance of acidity.

Technical Wine Language Explained:

• Tannins: Natural compounds found in grape skins that give wine structure and contribute to its ageing potential.
• Acidity: The crisp, fresh quality in wine that helps balance sweetness and provides a refreshing finish.
• Charry Notes: A light smoky or toasted character, often derived from subtle oak influences during the winemaking process.
• Cool-Climate: A region where grapes ripen more slowly, producing wines with fresh acidity, subtle tannins, and aromatic complexity.

Learn More About Mount Trio Vineyard

Mount Trio Vineyard is located in Western Australia’s Porongurup and Stirling range region. Mount Trio Winery is known for their Pinot Noir and remains one of the Great Southern Wine Regions best produces.

The Mount Trio vineyard was established in 1989 by winemaker Gavin Berry and his wife Gill Graham and is situated in the elevated Porongurups sub-region of the Great Southern in Western Australia. Gavin’s long-held love for the land and agriculture, developed as a child growing up on a northern NSW wheat farm, was the driving force behind the venture and today, Mount Trio represents a very personal expression of the Berry family’s life.

Named after one of the peaks in the stunning Stirling Ranges, the vineyard is a winemaker’s dream site, one of only a handful that borders the tiny Porongurup National Park. With an absolute northerly aspect, cooling breezes and gravelly loam soils, the gentle slopes also allow for good air movement and drainage. With typically warm dry summers and cool wet winters, these conditions have proven ideal for viticulture and this sub region is especially highly regarded for its suitability for Riesling & Pinot Noir.

Gavin and Gill run the vineyard on a regime of ‘low intervention’. The soils are low in fertility so there is not excessive vigour. The vines have a natural balance so the vineyard is not prone to disease risk and there is very little requirement for shoot thinning or reducing crop levels. The vines are low yielding (generally less than 3T/acre) with the fruit having great colour and flavour.

Today, Mount Trio Wines has ~8 hectares/20 acres of vines, managed by Gavin & Gill along with some contract labour. The vineyard is now entirely planted to Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay; these varieties having proven to be the best suited to this site. The grapes for the other wines in the range are generally all from Mt Barker & Frankland River (the vineyards in these slightly warmer areas being more suitable for Cabernet & Malbec for example).

Gavin has been making wine in the Great Southern region for over 30 years; first as chief winemaker at Plantagenet Wines (1988 – 2004) and then at West Cape Howe Wines (2004 – current). With his wealth of knowledge and considerable experience, he has made a major contribution to the Great Southern’s reputation for the production of premium quality wines.

The first Mount Trio wines were released in 1995 and the range includes Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sangiovese Rose, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Malbec and Shiraz.

We can order in anything from their range. Contact us at info@partnersinwine.com.au

Porongurup Wine Region: A Haven for Pinot Noir 

Nestled in the heart of Western Australia, the Porongurup wine region is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and unique terroir, which together foster the production of outstanding wines. Framed by the majestic Stirling Ranges, this picturesque setting offers not only stunning views but also a tranquil atmosphere that attracts wine lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

A defining characteristic of Porongurup is its cool climate, significantly shaped by its elevation and proximity to the Stirling Ranges. This combination results in a longer growing season, providing optimal conditions for grape cultivation. The extended ripening period allows Pinot Noir and Riesling grapes to develop the complex flavours and vibrant acidity that are hallmarks of high-quality wines. Cool nights help retain freshness, while warm, sunny days ensure ideal maturation, creating an environment where these varietals thrive.

Porongurup excels in producing elegant and aromatic Rieslings, celebrated for their crisp acidity and floral aromas. These wines often showcase enticing notes of citrus and stone fruit, complemented by a distinct mineral edge that reflects the region’s diverse soils, including granite and sandy loams. This mineral character adds depth and complexity, making Porongurup Rieslings particularly appealing to connoisseurs.

In addition to Riesling, the region is also gaining recognition for its exceptional Pinot Noir. This varietal flourishes in the cooler climate, which allows for slow maturation, enabling the grapes to retain their natural acidity while developing rich, complex profiles. The resulting Pinot Noirs are medium-bodied with vibrant fruit flavours and elegant tannins, celebrated for their balance and finesse.

The unique terroir of Porongurup plays a crucial role in shaping the characteristics of these wines. The diverse soils and microclimates create ideal conditions for grape growing. The cool, moist environment supports healthy vine growth, while the elevation ensures good drainage and aeration, reducing disease pressure. This interplay of climate, soil, and viticulture practices contributes to the purity and expression of the region’s terroir in both its Rieslings and Pinot Noirs.

Local winemakers are committed to sustainable practices and innovative viticulture techniques, further enhancing the quality of the wines produced in Porongurup. By prioritising environmental stewardship and adopting low-intervention methods, these producers craft wines that genuinely reflect their origins.