Dream deal for pinot noir lovers from Soumah, Coppabella, Ponting and Hunter’s Marlborough

A quadrella of highly praised pinot noir from the Yarra to Tasmania’s Tamar are on show in this exclusive offer designed for those obsessed with this beguiling grape.

The Australian Wine Club this week uncorks a quadrella of winners, stretching Tasmania’s Tamar Valley across to Marlborough.

Scott McCarthy has been obsessing about pinot noir in Victoria’s Yarra Valley for well over 20 years.

Like many of us who live under pinot’s eternal spell, the chief winemaker at Soumah takes on a dreamy state as he explains the love affair. “You take a sip of a good pinot and you just close your eyes and become mesmerised by the balance and the flavours – it’s a very special grape,’’ Scott says.

“Every site has its own personality that we can see in the bottle. Every clone has its own special characters that can shine on their own or come together to blend into something really special.”

It’s a good time to fantasise about pinot noir as The Australian Wine Club this week uncorks a quadrella of winners, stretching from the Yarra to Tasmania’s Tamar Valley and on to Tumbarumba in the Snowy Mountains and across to Marlborough.

Scott McCarthy, chief winemaker at Soumah in the Yarra Valley.

You’ll find diversity here by the mouthful: from bright cherries, raspberries and strawberries to spicy savoury tones and earthy, mushroomy characters you’d find on a shady forest floor.

Soumah’s Single Vineyard Upper Ngumby pinot from the 2023 vintages leads our pack, described by Scott as exuding a savouriness and minerality – along with its red berry characters – that flows directly from the vineyard’s soil and microclimate.

“The Upper Ngumby vineyard is protected to the west by a wall of hills that means after about midday the fruit is getting very little direct heat,’’ he says. “This protection allows the fruit to ripen slowly and retain a balance between sugar and acid, while developing those delicate lifted flavours and aromas we’re striving to achieve.”

The vineyard was planted in 1997, part of a wave of new plantings in the Yarra, which almost 30 years later has contributed to the valley being undisputedly one of Australia’s premier regions for pinot noir.

While Yarra’s revival began in the 1970s with new ventures such as Yarra Yering, Mount Mary and Seville Estate taking flight, Scott credits James Halliday with cementing the Yarra’s reputation. “His efforts to really try and do something special with Coldstream Hills was a big factor in building confidence in the region,’’ he says.

Soumah was launched in the same year as the Upper Ngumby vineyard was planted, established by Brett Butcher, a former CEO of global hotel operator the Langham Group, who’s been involved in wine retailing for decades.

“From the guys on the ground in the vineyard and our small winemaking team through to Brett, we’re all focused on attention to detail at every step,’’ says Scott, who grew up on a vineyard at Mildura and began his career at Yalumba in 1989.

Soumah is also embracing varietals from northern Italy including savarro, brachetto, marzemino, nebbiolo and barbera. “We keep evolving and learning – that’s what wine is all about,’’ Scott says.

Soumah Single Vineyard Yarra Valley Upper Ngumby Pinot Noir 2023

Raspberries and strawberry aromas lift from the glass, shadowed by spice notes and a hint of candy floss. Lovely fruit shines through on the palate, with silky fine-grained tannins and a lick of new French oak weaving together to create layers of complexity. Drink now or lay down for another four or five years. 94 points from Halliday Wine Companion. 13% alc; RRP $48 a bottle.

SPECIALS $43.99 a bottle in any dozen; $35.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.

Coppabella Sirius Tumbarumba Pinot Noir 2021

Intense aromas of red cherries, raspberries and red plum swirl, with hints of purple flowers and vanilla essence. Sour cherries and raspberries drive the flavour profile; there’s a lively tartness that cries out for roast duck. Polished tannins; long finish. Excellent value here from a five-star winery. 13% alc; RRP $80 a bottle.

SPECIALS $55.99 a bottle in any dozen; $35.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.

Ponting Mowbray Boy Tasmania Pinot Noir 2022

From Tamar Valley, not far from Ricky Ponting’s Mowbray backyard. Cherries, strawberries, raspberries and vanilla scents come to the fore after a decant. Clean, pure red and blue fruits flow, with a fleck of aniseed and spice. Juicy acidity runs to a fresh lingering finish. 93 points, Wine Orbit. 13% alc; RRP $38 a bottle.

SPECIALS $35.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.

Hunter’s Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023

Leafy, earthy aromas on arrival, with a hint of coffee, mushroom and bell pepper. Palate moves on with cherry and raspberry flavours. Tannins are structural but balanced. Mushroom risotto wouldn’t be out of place. Gold at the Marlborough Wine Show. 12.99% alc; RRP $35 a bottle.

SPECIALS $35.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.

PINOT NOIR DOZEN Three bottles of each wine above for $35.99 a bottle. SAVE $171 a dozen.

Order online or phone [phone] Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEDT. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550.