With Musk Creek and Tussie Mussie, this site completes the trio of Quealy’s premier-league, leased Mornington Peninsula vineyards. Established by Campbell and Christine Penfold—both doctors— in 1994, it mainly features the MV6 clone. Some 114 and 115 were also planted, taking advantage of the premium clones that became available around the same time.

Located on the coastal plain, it sits at just 30 metres above sea level behind Balnarring village. It’s an exposed, north-facing site with alluvial clay and red soils washed down from Red Hill. Tom McCarthy tells us it produces “gorgeous, small bunches of glossy Pinot Noir”. Stylistically, the Campbell & Christine sits at the more concentrated, muscular end of the Pinot spectrum.

Low yields in 2022 further ramped up the impactful fruit from this site, so Tom approached it with a gentle hand in the cellar. Different clones were picked over two days—9th and 16th March. Destemmed fruit fermented in small vats over 21 days before being gently pressed to puncheons (approximately 20% new) for 14 months.

“Medium-deep red-purple colour with an intensely spicy bouquet that shows floral/rose-petal notes at first, then dark-cherry and bitter herb touches. The palate full and round, rich and deep, with spicy flavour and ample fine tannins well matched to the wine’s weight.

Good structure, a touch of grip, and it would take some age to advantage. (Mostly MV6 clone; basalt soils close to sea-level; matured in 500-litre puncheons).” 95 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review