Dexter Pinot Noir 2021

Tod Dexter purchased a vineyard site at Tuerong on the Mornington Peninsula in 1987 and planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He became winemaker at Stonier and then Yabby Lake and during that period the Dexter Vineyard provided Stonier with reserve-grade fruit. Almost 20 years later, and with a wealth of experience behind him, he started his own label. What he strives for in his Pinot Noir is what he looks for in any wine he drinks - aromatics, prettiness, texture, elegance, line and length.

"A lovely pinot that sits comfortably in its light- to mid-weighted palate, filled with juicy cherries, a squeeze of blood orange plus a pleasing savoury overlay. Lots of heady spices and a hint of eucalyptus/native mint. The oak is tucked in nicely, with supple tannins. There's nothing else to do but to pour it."  Jane Faulkner 

"The 2021 Pinot Noir has aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, bay leaf and thyme with subtle floral fragrance and hints of oak. Complex flavours are reflected by the aromas. It has a soft entry with mid palate fruit sweetness and lovely texture. Fine tannins and balanced acidity result in a wine with good texture and length. An elegant example of Dexter Pinot Noir, very similar to the 2019 in quality. Matured in French Oak puncheons (25% new, 15% second use, 60% older) for 9 months. Clones: D5V12 (40%), Pommard (20 %,) MV6 (40%)."  Dexter Wines

Expert reviews

"A lovely pinot that sits comfortably in its light- to mid-weighted palate, filled with juicy cherries, a squeeze of blood orange plus a pleasing savoury overlay. Lots of heady spices and a hint of eucalyptus/native mint. The oak is tucked in nicely, with supple tannins. There's nothing else to do but to pour it. Now. Drink by 2031."  Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points

"A little extra time in bottle has done wonders for this. Really attractive red and darker berry aromas, a whiff of Campari and a trace of mint. Delicious fruit flavour and sweetness, elegance and refinement. Good length too: a thoroughly charming young pinot. Drink: 2021–2030."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 93 points 

About the winery

Tod Dexter, the man behind the Dexter label, grew up with wine. A childhood friendship with one of Melbourne's premium wine merchants, the Crittenden family, introduced him to the vast world of wine. It was then no surprise that in 1974 after working a ski season in the US, Tod ended up in the Napa Valley where he spent a seven-year apprenticeship with one of California's premium family wineries, Cakebread Cellars. During that period he met his wife Debbie, and the two of them started to toy with the idea of setting up in Australia. Back-to-back vintages at Brown Brothers in the King Valley in 1985 and '86 served as a trial.

Tod moved home to Australia in January 1987 and purchased a vineyard site at Tuerong on the Mornington Peninsula. Later that year, he planted 1.6 hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. To keep the wolves from the door he became winemaker at Stonier and over the next ten years, he and Brian Stonier grew the company to become one of Australia's premium producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. During this decade Tod leased his vineyard to Stonier and the Dexter vineyard provided them with reserve-grade fruit.

Dexter left Stonier in 2003 to take the reins at Yabby Lake, whose vineyards are a stone's throw from his own. In 2006 he turned 50. A friend told him if he didn't do his own thing now, it'd never happen. So almost 20 years after the first vines in the Dexter vineyard were planted, and with a wealth of experience behind him, Dexter Wines was born. His vineyard is planted to 4 hectares of Pinot Noir and 3.1 hectares of Chardonnay and he makes roughly the same quantity of each.