Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2021 (Mornington)

Montalto's 2021 Pennon Hill Pinot Noir is made from hand-harvested batches of pinot noir grapes from vineyards that span the Peninsula, with approximately 50 percent coming from the cooler sites in Main Ridge and Red Hill, with the balance hailing from Merricks and Tuerong vineyards.

Bunches were meticulously sorted and then de-stemmed into 2T open fermenters followed by a short cold maceration period of between 3 and 5 days before the onset of wild fermentation. 11% of the blend underwent carbonic maceration for 2 weeks before being destemmed and then fermented on skins to dryness. A post-ferment maceration period of between 5 and 7 days followed. At the completion of primary fermentation, the grapes were pressed, and the wine transferred to French oak barriques and Puncheons (20% new) for natural malo-lactic fermentation. Barrel maturation was for 9 months.