Mulline Sutherlands Creek Pinot Noir 2023

SPECIAL BUY - A single-vineyard wine from the Strathmore Vineyard, planted with MV6 and Abel clones in the late 1990s; 20% whole bunches. Matured in 30% new puncheons and barriques. A deepish crimson ruby. More darkly fruited and concentrated than last year's version. Dark cherries, damson plums, peony and spice on the bouquet. Saturates the palate, which is concentrated, structured, fleshy and very long. It's so good now but will get even better over the next six to eight years and probably longer. Another superb 2023 Geelong pinot from the two Bens. (97) PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion

Last year’s release was made with MV6 and Abel clone pinot noir, on vines planted in 1998 at Sutherlands Creek in the Moorabool Valley. I assume this release is the same.

It presents a bed of fruit-filled flavour, all macerated and strewn with herbs, and while it sings and impresses through the mainstay of the palate, it’s the finish that really moves the bar higher. This wine pushes flavour well beyond the point where it had every reason to stop. The winemaker probably won’t like me saying this, but it’s a Pinot Noir that feels very Australian, in a positive way. It’s varietal, but it feels “very MV6”. Its flavours nestle into the palate, rather than being over-eager to lift off and out. It has that feel of being settled, like a cat after it’s finished kneading your lap. And yet it has that finish, that extra soar. It’s pretty special. (95+) CAMPBELL MATTINSON, The Wine Front

A vibrant cherry red in the glass. there’s lovely complex aromatics here, dried herbs, blueberry, bramble, sap, Asian spice and ferrous earth. Bright and lively on the palate with lashings of red and blue fruits, tangy, briary acidity and savoury, supple and textured tannins. Long, layered, mouth-filling and pure in flavour. AARON BRASCHER, The Real Review