2023 Dalrymple Estate Mt Lord Pinot Noir

96 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

An impressive pinot noir from the Mt. Lord vineyard in the lee of an easterly slope in the Pontos Hills in the Coal River Valley. Dark ruby with characters of red and dark cherry, red plum, cranberry and raspberry fruits. Hints of Medina spice, struck flint, crushed rocks, citrus blossom, dried game meats, raspberry coulis, judicious nutty oak and an understorey of leaf litter and mountain herbs. A little more concentration than the inaugural release, but this is a beautifully made wine, pure, rocky and intricately spiced, with ample mineral energy and drive, the sustained finish daubed with earth and gamey nuance.

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Mt. Lord Pinot Noir is a new wine for Dalrymple, this its second release. The east-facing site is in Coal River Valley and, here, has produced a wine of presence and power, yet its restraint is the thing I find most attractive. There are notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry seed, toasted spices and sandalwood. The finish has meaty nuances woven throughout, with pomegranate molasses and rose petals. This is very good indeed. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax.

92 POINTS

Mike Bennie - The Wine Front

A single site wine and at a top of the tree price point for Dalrymple. From Coal River Valley. Soft and supple, red cherry, raspberry, a bit of game meat, some pepper, choc-mint and dried cranberry. A shuffle of green herbs and some faint eucalyptus notes in the mix too. Tannins a little gummy, but do lend some good shape to the wine. Good length of flavour also. Perhaps just a little miss on zingy, lemony, adjunct acidity through the finish. It’s pleasing stuff, but perhaps not quite gelling at present – time.