Seville Estate Pinot Noir 2021 | Yarra Valley

Winemaking Notes

Fruit hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard. A combination of de-stemmed ferments and 100% whole bunch ferments are used — must cold soaked for four days, then natural fermentation occurs with no temperature control. Malolactic fermentation occurs during primary. Open ferments are pumped over daily. Wine is gently pressed off skins and run straight to French oak for barrel maturation on lees in 30% new oak (300L and 500L barrels). Wine is not filtered or fined but allowed to clarify naturally in the cellar prior to bottling — minimal handling to maximise delicate Pinot character. This vintage sees the first introduction of Pommard and Abel clones alongside the estate’s MV6, contributing to the flavour and structure of the blend as these newer blocks mature.

Vintage Conditions

2021 was a perfect growing season for Seville Estate — mild temperatures with average rainfall produced good yields with balanced flavours across all varieties. Average rainfall and temperatures over winter set the season up well, with warmer than average spring temperatures prompting an early start to the growing season. Good conditions over flowering delivered welcome yields after the small 2020 production. Mild conditions pushed harvest into early March — preferable over the hotter February temperatures — and the resulting Pinot Noirs were more delicate and perfumed whilst retaining their intensity and tannins. A vintage reminiscent of the great cooler years, where the balance of tannin, fruit, and aromatics was perfect.

Producer History

Seville Estate was established in 1972 when Dr Peter McMahon planted the first vines — a moment that marked the rebirth of the Yarra Valley as a premium wine region. By the end of the decade, Peter and his wife Margaret were producing wines that restored the well-established reputation the Yarra had enjoyed in the 19th century. Remarkably, in a region more renowned for Cabernet and Pinot Noir, it was the Seville Estate Shiraz that first attracted the most attention, quickly becoming one of Victoria’s most sought-after wines.

Peter and Margaret’s grandson, Dylan McMahon, joined Seville Estate in 2000 and became chief winemaker in 2004 — following the passion ignited a generation before. Dylan had been on track to become an electrical engineer until he decided to follow his destiny and make wine. His grandfather’s influence remains central to his philosophy: “While concentration is important in wine, elegance and finesse is the key to our wine.” A philosophy that the 2021 Pinot Noir expresses with quiet, persistent authority.