Penfolds & Pinot Noir

A varietal of ancient standing, long admired by wine enthusiasts for producing elegant, aromatic, and ethereal red wine. Its name, ‘pinot noir’, is derived from the French words ‘pine’ and ‘black’, which allude to the grape’s black skin and pine-cone-shaped grape bunches.

Whilst the origin of pinot noir is unknown, the Cistercian monks of Burgundy, France, attributed significantly to the varietal’s fame through their cultivation and comprehensive documentation of their trials and tribulations over hundreds of vintages. With a reputation for being notoriously difficult to cultivate and requiring mastery of technique, it’s not surprising the varietal garnered the moniker ‘the holy grail of grapes’.

Today, Penfolds source pinot noir from multiple cool-climate regions across Australia, including Tasmania, the Adelaide Hills and Henty in Victoria. Penfolds Bin 23 Pinot Noir follows in the footsteps of the success and development of the Penfolds Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir.

Perfection in its imperfections

Prone to early budding and ripening, especially in warmer climates, makes the grape susceptible to spring frosts. And due to its delicate thin skin, botrytis bunch rot and downy and powdery mildew can impact yield.

Coincidentally pinot noir’s greatest advocate is its sensitivity. When crafted meticulously, its flaws become its greatest strengths, with the varietal’s sensitive nature being the key to its ability to exude terroir and produce extraordinary Australian expressions.

Due to its disposition for mutation and long history of cultivation, you will find hundreds of clones worldwide. Much of the fruit used for our Bin 23 Pinot Noir and Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir is MV6 clone material - Australia’s heritage clone.

Unlike the more famous of its two parental varietals, chardonnay is very easy to grow – but it does still require significant viticultural skill to develop complexity and depth.

Article: Penfolds & Pinot Noir

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A cool climate footprint

Australian winemakers have only vinified pinot noir commercially since the 1970s. You will find a relatively small foothold in Australia, with only 4,948 hectares planted. It is produced successfully in cooler regions such as Tasmania, Victoria, Adelaide Hills, Great Southern and the Hunter Valley.

Pinot noir is the fourth most cultivated variety in the world, with over 112,000 hectares planted globally.

Australia’s workhorse clone

The first vines made their way to Australian shores in 1817. In 1921 Maurice O’Shea planted pinot noir in the Hunter Valley, which are now considered the oldest pinot noir vines in Australia. These vines are particularly significant in Australia’s pinot noir story as they were instrumental in the birth of the MV6 clone, which is now widely cultivated in Australia and New Zealand.

Pinot through an Australian lens

The flavours of pinot noir are diverse, with the growing climate and winemaker playing a significant role in its expression. Cool climate pinot noirs are typically lighter-bodied and can be aged for 10 to 15 years, allowing deep earthy, savoury flavours to develop, while warmer climates tend to produce riper, fuller-bodied expressions.

Pinot through a Penfolds lens

The story of Penfolds and pinot noir embodies Penfolds spirit of ingenuity. The first Penfolds pinot noir was released in the mid-1990s, and it is a style we have continued to evolve, favouring cool-climate expressions.

Below are some of our most popular pinot noirs

Penfolds Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir was first released in 1997 with a small initial production. Originally sourced from the Adelaide Hills, the Cellar Reserve has become an important but untold part of the Penfolds story… one of cool climate Tasmanian pinot noir vineyards. With cherry and rhubarb flavours, it is opulent in style whilst ostensibly showing restraint, heady aromatics, and a silky texture.

Penfolds Bin 23 Pinot Noir follows in the footsteps of the success and development of the Cellar Reserve release. A bold and dynamic style with strawberry hues and cherry-like characters. Its name is derived from the cellar it was initially matured - ‘Cellar 23’ at Magill Estate. Fruit is now sourced predominantly from Tasmania, depending on vintage conditions and quality. An unashamedly Penfolds Pinot Noir.

Max’s Pinot Noir is a tribute to Penfolds first Chief Winemaker Max Schubert, and continues the exploration and endeavours with this varietal. It is sourced from three cool climate regions, the Adelaide Hills, Henty and Tasmania. Max’s pinot noir is a contemporary interpretation of this varietal, with a medley of youthful, bright fruits framed eloquently by French oak.

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About Penfolds

Penfolds single-region winemaking

These wines highlight the influence of the regions, narrating the story of soil, climate, and topography while showcasing Penfolds time-honoured House Style.