Handford Wines

“The reward for growing grapes in the Mornington Peninsula is the cultivation of exceptionally high quality fruit” says Brian Stonier, who was one of the first to plant in this beautiful strip of land which juts out south of Melbourne to form the Port Phillip Bay. He first planted in 1978 and now has 15 hectares under vine. In addition, Brian’s wine maker, Tod Dexter, supplies grapes from his own 6 hectares at Merricks North, in the warmer area of the peninsula. The combination of differing fruit from the two sites adds greater complexity to the finished wines.

The Wine

Stonier are Pinot Noir specialists. 2006 was one of the hottest and driest growing seasons on record for the Stonier vineyards, the resultant very light colour of the wine this vintage belies the immense palate and heightened aromatics. The 2006 Reserve shows intensity and purity of fruit reflecting the older vineyards from which it is sourced, and has the structure to reward medium term cellaring. "Lovely ripe, fleshy pinot nose; lots of perfumed blackcurrants. Ripe and vibrant forest fruit flavours on a silky palate. Firm tannins!" -Winestate.com The Reserve blocks are predominantly in cooler sites around Merricks and Merricks North, harvested slightly later in the season than some of the younger Stonier vineyards, avoiding the really hot days in February and early March. The Pinot Noir vineyards showed great intensity of perfume and structure, but were picked relatively early which, combined with the warm temperatures, seemed to show very light colour. Pinot Noir from the oldest vineyards was fermented in small, open fermenters, with about 50% receiving extended skin maceration, and around 5% being whole bunch fermented. Post ferment it was pressed to French oak (30% new) for malolactic and ageing with minimal winemaking interference. Alcohol 13.5% Colour is a light, bright red. Very perfumed bouquet of morello cherries, redcurrant jelly, bark and earthiness, currants and dark chocolate, with some floral, spicy complexity and subtle French oak bouquet. Palate belies the very light colour of the wine - nice and fresh with rich and powerful cherry and spice flavours lingering on the palate, the coolness of refreshing acidity. A quite substantial but fine tannic grip, and a good finish laden with fruit. "A smooth and polished pinot, heady and lightly meaty, finely crafted, its luscious palate of cherries, berries and sweet new oak is neatly framed!" -Onwine.com.au, "Crisp and appealing for its juicy blackberry and roasted meat flavors that linger on the zingy finish!" - Winespectator.com

Single Bottle: £20.95

In a case of 12: £19.90