Philip Murphy Estate Pinot Noir

In 2004, ex Melbourne wine retailer Philip Murphy established a small vineyard in an elevated position at Main Ridge in Mornington. Meanwhile he completed a wine science degree at Charles Sturt. He was also mentored by Kevin Bell of Hurley Vineyard.

 

Murphy uses wild ferment and keeps his hands off as much as possible; pinots are generally not fined, and sometimes not filtered. 

 

Vintage 2010 Philip Murphy Estate Pinot Noir: Rated by Jeremy Oliver at No 4 in his list of Top Ten Pinot Noirs, the only Mornington pinot to have made it into the list.

The list in order is (1) Bass Phillip Reserve 2009, (2) Freycinet Pinot 2009 (ditto), (3) Hardy's Eileen Hardy TAS Pinot 2009, (4) Philip Murphy Pinot 2010, (5) Epis Pinot Noir 2009, (6) Bass Phillip Premium Pinot 2009, (7) Bass Phillip Estate Pinot 2009, (8) Lubiana Sasso Pinot 2008, (9) William Downie Gippsland Pinot 2010, (10) Tower Estate Panorama TAS Pinot 2009

Philip Murphy Estate 2010 Pinot Noir is an elegant, perfectly weighted pinot. The bouquet shows floral notes, cinnamon, white pepper and hints of creamy mushrooms. On the palate has enlivening acid and excellent fruit purity with dark cherry, some blackcurrant jubiness and also mocha characters from French oak. Further bottle age will reveal extra pinot silkiness. The notes were written on the 1st and 3rd day the bottle was open (with Wine Shield in situ) - the wine had lost nothing on the 3rd day, indicating a very good cellaring option. Murphy thinks that vintage 2010 has produced a characteristic style for his vineyard.

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2011 'Pinot de la Maison' by Philip Murphy (Mornington) $28: Smoky with floral notes and mushroom savouriness. Red berry fruits and delicacy with persistence and very fine tannins. Builds in the mouth. Great partner to poultry. Very attractive packaging in the French style.