Description
Product Description: Mornington precision, Pinot purity—Massale speaks of place. Kooyong Massale Pinot Noir 2024 delivers the pedigree of Mornington Peninsula Pinot at a pitch-perfect price point. Sourced from the estate’s Tuerong and Balnarring vineyards, it captures the finesse, fragrance, and freshness that define the region’s cool-climate reds. Domain-grown and handpicked, this is a wine built on a foundation of site expression and low-intervention winemaking. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in a mix of old and new oak, Massale is a confident, quietly detailed Pinot. It’s not about gloss, it’s about balance, texture, and the lift of pure fruit. Red cherry, subtle spice and earthy depth ripple through the glass, with a clean, savoury finish. A stellar vintage has given this release real poise and drive. The MakerKooyong Estate was established in 1995 by Chris and Gail Aylward and later acquired by the Gjergja family, who continue to guide the estate today. The vineyards are located on the Mornington Peninsula, where varied soils and aspects provide the foundation for nuanced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, alongside small plantings of Pinot Gris and Shiraz. Chief winemaker Tim Perrin leads the cellar with a focus on precision and site transparency. A graduate in wine sciences from Charles Sturt University, he has been recognised as Dux of the AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course and awarded a Len Evans Scholarship. Viticulture is overseen by Stuart Marshall, ensuring that the estate’s parcels are farmed with care and consistency. Together, they maintain a reputation for expressive wines that capture the subtleties of the Peninsula. PhilosophyKooyong’s philosophy is centred on clarity of site. Each block is treated individually, with minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery to preserve the distinct character of soil, exposure, and season. Fermentations proceed with wild yeasts, fining is avoided, and bottling often occurs without filtration. Sustainability is woven into every stage of production. Vineyard practices include precise canopy management, crop thinning to enhance concentration, natural fertilisers, and low-impact pest and disease control. Water reuse and environmentally sensitive infrastructure reflect a broader commitment to stewardship of the land. The aim is balance and restraint. Kooyong wines emphasise purity, savoury finesse, and length rather than overt weight. Single-block releases showcase subtle differences across the estate, reinforcing the belief that terroir, when respected, speaks most clearly on its own. Tasting Notes NOSE – Red-fruited and savoury Lifted cherry and cranberry with hints of clove, forest floor and flint. PALATE – Silky and layered Juicy red fruits and gentle spice glide over a lithe frame of acidity and fine tannin. FINISH – Crisp and persistent A clean, linear finish with subtle grip and aromatic lift. Reviews & Accolades A judicious choice of 12% whole bunch inclusion in stainless steel and concrete fermentation lends aromatic lift—herbs, leaf, rosehip—with vibrant black cherry, cranberry, and sour cherry fruit. Tannins are pronounced, stacking through to a fresh herb-tinged finish. Appreciably structured and tensile.” – Ray Gordon, WinePilot, 91 points (May 2025) Finer Details: Style – Red Wine Varietal – Pinot Noir Country – Australia Region – Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Vintage – 2024 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13% Closure – Screw Cap
