Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024

"Tolpuddle Vineyard is making arguably the greatest pinot noir in Australia."  James Suckling

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW (Shaw & Smith) purchased the vineyard in 2011 after a look-and-see jaunt to Tasmania when they became smitten by Tolpuddle's Coal Valley location and mature vines, planted only to pinot noir and chardonnay. They are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia's great single vineyards. 

"Another exceptional bottling from this famous producer. Deeply perfumed, brooding aromas of blue and black fruits are supported with underlying notes of forest floor, pencil shavings, pomegranate, rose petals and dried herbs. The silken palate has firmly framed, rounded tannins balanced by mineral-driven acidity. This Grand Cru-level pinot noir will last for decades to come, albeit fresh, reduced and seductive now. Brilliant."  James Suckling

In barely a decade, Tolpuddle has established itself as one of the country's top producers. It produces wines of blistering precision and finesse which have received rave critical acclaim. They are highly sought-after and are some of the finest examples of chardonnay and pinot noir that can be found anywhere on the Apple Isle.

"If ever a new winery was born with blue blood in its veins, Tolpuddle would have to be it."  James Halliday

"Dark, brooding fruit and lifted aromas of aniseed and pepper. On the palate, concentrated fruit is framed by fine, integrated tannins that linger on the finish. There is a sense of opulence to this wine, balanced by more complex, savoury spice and the seamless acidity we have come to expect from Tolpuddle Vineyard."  Tolpuddle

Expert reviews

"Another exceptional bottling from this famous producer. Deeply perfumed, brooding aromas of blue and black fruits are supported with underlying notes of forest floor, pencil shavings, pomegranate, rose petals and dried herbs. The silken palate has firmly framed, rounded tannins balanced by mineral-driven acidity. This Grand Cru-level pinot noir will last for decades to come, albeit fresh, reduced and seductive now. Brilliant. Drink or hold."  James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com - 98 points 

"A wonderfully perfumed and composed wine that comes across as a little finer in aromatic detail than the excellent '23 release. It's an amalgam of clones – 777, 667, Abel, Pommard, MV6 and some that winemaker Adam Wadewitz snaffled from Best's Great Western – all playing their part in the final blend. Vibrant dark cherry, red berry and raspberry fruit tones mesh with hints of exotic spice, a whiff of negroni, juniper, wild strawberry, almond paste, integrated vanillin oak, meadow flowers and crushed stone. Everything plays at concert pitch, with complex whole bunch (50%) notes, the gentle tension of ground-riverstone tannins and a fine, mineral line as the wine slowly trails away. A cracking release that smells and tastes of a special place. Drink by 2043."  Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion - 97 points

"Medium colour. Intense pure dark cherry, chinotto, hint ginger touch bush garrigue aromas. Generously concentrated, sinuous and textured palate with dark cherry, strawberry pastille, chinotto flavours, fine slinky, hint grippy/ leafy tannins, and underlying ginger, roasted almond notes. Finishes minerally and long. Lovely purity, layered richness and vinosity."  Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal - 97 points

"An unearthing of black cherries, ancho chillis, and tonka bean. A backdrop of thicket and foliage is carefully threaded with raspberries and wild hawthorn. Ceylon tea leaf, sandalwood, and coffee grounds follow. The tannins are crafty working their way across the palate, sidling in, and revealing their potential only once you’re already reaching for another sip. This vintage has captured impressive ripeness and a maturity of tannins, with an uproar of Christmas-cherry fruit standing loud and proud. It feels complete and utterly enticing, speaking of the Coal River Valley with impeccable clarity, finesse of detail, and beautifully layered texture. There is a long life ahead of this wine and one that will demonstrate Tolpuddle’s ability for long term cellaring. Drink now with torched Nasu Dengaku or pop in the back of your cellar for another 6-8 years. More if you have ideal cellar conditions."  Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot - 96 points

"Deep and translucent purple colour, impressive for a young pinot, the bouquet fresh and bright and primal with a touch of smoky barrel/reduction overlying sweet plum and black cherry aromas. It's concentrated and rich, with superbly ripe pinot fruit and seamlessly handled oak, fine powdery tannins running the length of the palate and cleansing the finish beautifully. A less stemmy/whole-bunch influenced Tolpuddle pinot noir. It will take some age profitably. Drink 2025-2039."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 96 points

About the winery

Tolpuddle Vineyard was established in 1988 by Bill Casimaty, Gary Crittenden and Tony Jordan and it took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs: English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. The leader of the Martyrs, George Loveless, served some of his sentence working on a property near Richmond, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard. The vineyard is planted with mature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, facing north-east, and sloping gently up from Back Tea Tree Road. The soil is light silica over sandstone and of moderate vigour, ensuring well-balanced vines producing grapes of great flavour and intensity. 

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW (Shaw & Smith) purchased the vineyard in 2011 after a look-and-see jaunt to Tasmania when they became smitten by Tolpuddle's Coal Valley location and mature vines, planted only to pinot noir and chardonnay. They are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia's great single vineyards. 

In barely a decade, Tolpuddle has established itself as one of the country's top producers. It produces wines of blistering precision and finesse which have received rave critical acclaim. They are highly sought-after and are some of the finest examples of chardonnay and pinot noir that can be found anywhere on the Apple Isle.