Olive Tree Hill Pinot Noir 2024

Olive Tree Hill is made from own-rooted MV6 Pinot Noir planted in 1976. As the oldest Pinot Noir vines on the property, this block consistently produces low yields of small, concentrated berries. For almost fifty years, it has delivered Pinot Noir of depth, structure, and now, serious old-vine power.

The fruit was handpicked, completely destemmed, and fermented on skins for 10 days before pressing to French oak hogshead barrels, 40% of which were new. The wine was left undisturbed, went through malolactic fermentation in spring, and was blended and bottled in February.

Olive Tree Hill is generous and grounded, showing both the depth of old vines and the concentration of the site. Red and dark fruits sit at the core, with more than a hint of spice and forest floor. The palate is full and rounded, with depth, structure and a calm, settled power. A classic old-vine expression that is confident and complete.

96 points. A floral and herbal edge underlies wet earth and dried flowers. The palate is refined and pure, with a lovely blue-fruited tone and fresh plushness carried by fine tannins and bright acidity. This will evolve and open nicely in the bottle. Delicious. Drink or hold. Screw cap. Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com.

95 points. There’s polish to this wine, and a meatiness, and savoury inputs aplenty, and a long confident push through the finish. It’s Bannockburn pinot noir to a tee. Red cherry, tonic water, rhubarb, undergrowth and woodsmoke characters run into rust, steel, earth and cedar. There’s a umami aspect to this wine; indeed it runs right through it. Courtesy of this wine’s balance – and long, even flow through the finish – you could easily drink this now. But it will be a more complex delight with some years under its belt. Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au.