Jane Eyre, Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, 2021
Jane Eyre, Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, 2021
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2032
About Jane Eyre, Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, 2021
One of the stars of the Burgundy micro-négociant movement, Australian-born Jane Eyre-Renard is one of our all time-favourite producers, and the wines she’s been making in Burgundy are some of the most accessible in our whole portfolio. So, you can imagine our delight when we heard she was going back to her roots to make some wines Down Under!
Sourced from two vineyards in Merricks, from vines with an average age of 30 years old, and vinified using 20% whole bunches, then aged for 10 months French Oak.
Currently drinking beautifully in its primary fruit phase, with dark berries and earthy complexity well-integrated. Over the next two to three years, expect the tannins to soften further while the mushroom and forest floor characters become more pronounced. The wine should reach its peak around 2028-2030, when fruit and earth achieve perfect harmony.
What the critics say:
"Very clear pale garnet. Subtle nose. Very delicate hand. Very Jane Eyre! Appetising, with a hint of hazelnuts."
"This is showing darker berry fruit on the nose, with tea leaves, grilled porcini and dried chili, too. Smoked paprika. Spicy and firm, with a medium body, tight and chalky tannins, and a dark-fruited but cool finish. Try from 2024."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceClear pale garnet with subtle ruby highlights, showing the transparency typical of cool-climate Pinot.
NoseSubtle at first, then revealing layers of dark berries, tea leaves, and grilled porcini mushrooms. There's a hint of smoked paprika and dried chilli adding complexity, with delicate hazelnut undertones emerging with air.
PalateMedium-bodied with impressive restraint, showing dark cherry and blackberry fruit balanced by earthy forest floor flavours. The tannins are firm and chalky, providing structure without overwhelming the delicate fruit. Cool-climate freshness runs throughout.
FinishDark-fruited but cool, with chalky minerality and subtle spice lingering pleasantly.
Overall impressionThis shows Jane Eyre's trademark delicate hand, creating an appetising wine that's distinctly Australian yet unmistakably hers.
Food Pairings
On the Mornington Peninsula, this would pair beautifully with the region's famous seafood — perhaps King George whiting or local mussels cooked simply with herbs. The peninsula's farm-to-table culture means it would also complement roasted duck with cherry sauce or slow-cooked lamb with native pepperberry. Local cheeses like Mornington Peninsula brie or aged cheddar would highlight the wine's subtle nutty complexity.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve lightly chilled at 14-15°C to preserve the wine's delicate aromatics and cool-climate freshness. No need to decant — this wine is about elegance rather than power, so pour directly into Burgundy-style glasses that will concentrate the subtle nose. Open 30 minutes before serving to allow the earthy complexity to emerge.
The Merricks vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula benefit from maritime influence and well-draining soils that stress the vines just enough to concentrate flavours. The 30-year-old vines have established deep root systems, accessing minerals that give the wine its distinctive chalky backbone. Cool southerly winds and morning fog create ideal conditions for slow, even ripening in this premium Pinot Noir region.
Mornington Peninsula is Victoria's most celebrated cool-climate region, renowned for elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The maritime climate, influenced by Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait, creates long growing seasons perfect for aromatic varieties. Unlike the warmer Yarra Valley to the north, Mornington Peninsula specialises in restraint and finesse, producing wines that rival Tasmania for cool-climate purity.
The 2021 vintage on the Mornington Peninsula delivered exactly what you'd hope for from this cool-climate corner of Victoria: a long, gentle ripening season that allowed the finicky pinot noir and chardonnay to develop proper flavour without rushing. We find ourselves with wines that capture the peninsula's signature restraint and mineral backbone, though yields were notably lighter than growers had hoped. The growing season favoured those who could wait, rewarding patience with fruit that retained natural acidity whilst developing the kind of perfumed intensity that makes Mornington Peninsula such compelling territory.
What emerged from the cellars shows all the hallmarks of a classic peninsula vintage: chardonnays with taut citrus drive and underlying stone fruit richness, pinot noirs that are fragrant rather than jammy, with that distinctive savoury edge that sets this region apart from its warmer Victorian cousins. We're drinking the whites with great pleasure now, whilst the reds are showing their potential but will reward cellaring until 2027. This isn't a vintage that shouts for attention, but that's precisely its charm.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Elegant and restrained, with dark berries, tea leaves, grilled mushrooms, and subtle hazelnuts on a firm, chalky frame.
When should I drink this wine?
Drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop gracefully until 2032, reaching its peak around 2028-2030.
What food pairs well with this Pinot Noir?
Perfect with roasted duck, slow-cooked lamb, or the peninsula's famous seafood like King George whiting or local mussels.
Should I decant this wine?
No need to decant — simply open 30 minutes before serving and pour into Burgundy-style glasses to concentrate the delicate aromatics.
How does this compare to Burgundian Pinot Noir?
Jane Eyre brings her Burgundian sensibility to Australian fruit, creating a wine with cool-climate restraint but distinctly Mornington Peninsula character.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, this will reward patience until 2032, with the tannins softening and earthy complexity becoming more pronounced over the next few years.
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