The 2023 Quealy Seventeen Rows Pinot Noir is the flagship Pinot Noir of Quealy Winemakers, sourced from just 17 rows of MV6 Pinot Noir planted in 1982 at the estate’s Balnarring vineyard. Among the oldest Pinot Noir vines on the Mornington Peninsula, these organically certified vines grow on a gentle north-facing slope of shallow loam over clay, producing fruit of exceptional concentration and character. The low-yielding 2023 vintage has delivered a particularly expressive and age-worthy wine.
The nose is complex and perfumed, offering dried cherry, wild strawberry, five spice, charcuterie and dried herbs. The palate is deep and finely structured, with vibrant red fruit, savoury complexity, silky texture and beautifully integrated whole-bunch and oak influences. Huon Hooke awarded the wine 95 points, praising its concentration, persistence and harmony, while Jane Faulkner also scored it 95 points, highlighting its youthful energy, structure and long cellaring potential.
Ben’s Recommendation:
A serious Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir that combines old-vine depth with elegance and precision. Complex, savoury and beautifully balanced, it pairs superbly with duck, roast quail, pork loin, mushroom dishes and game birds. Enjoy now with a decant, but it will reward patience and should evolve beautifully through 2036 and beyond.
