2024 TarraWarra Estate Swallowfield Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml

Overview

A compelling single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Swallowfield Vineyard in Gembrook, one of the Yarra Valley's most southerly vineyard sites. The 2024 release is fragrant and beautifully detailed, combining wild strawberry, red cherry and floral perfume with pomegranate, sour cherry and sarsaparilla. Silky yet persistent tannins provide a fine chalky grip, giving this graceful Pinot Noir both immediate appeal and the structure to develop further in bottle.

Vintage

The 2024 season was defined by a cool and wet spring extending into early summer, followed by warmer and drier conditions from mid-January. The resulting wines show excellent acidity, balance and flavour. The Pinot Noir fruit was hand harvested on 14 and 15 March 2024.

Vineyard

Swallowfield Vineyard is located in Gembrook and is distinguished by a decomposed granite base that is seldom seen in the region. First planted in 1990 and extended in 2000, the vineyard now comprises 12 hectares planted entirely to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is one of the most southerly vineyards in the Yarra Valley. The Pinot Noir plantings include D5V12, 114, 115 and MV6 clones.

Winemaking

The fruit was hand harvested and cooled overnight before being completely destemmed into open fermenters. Thoughtful ferment handling was used to encourage balance between flavour, acidity and tannin structure. The wine spent approximately two weeks on skins before pressing and transfer to oak for maturation. It was blended following oak maturation in November and bottled in December 2024.

The wine was matured for eight months in 100% French oak puncheons and barriques, comprising 20% new oak with the balance seasoned.

Producer Tasting Notes

Colour: Vibrant ruby red.

Nose: Wild strawberries, red cherries and violets lead the aromatic profile, with red rose petal adding further intensity to the perfume.

Palate: Expressive pomegranate, sour cherry and sarsaparilla bring brightness and sweet-fruited character. The tannins are silky yet persistent, with a fine chalky grip providing structure without overshadowing the fruit. Graceful, detailed and exacting in its balance.

Critic Reviews

96 Points & Gold — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
Philip Rich highlights the deeply scented black cherry fruit, subtle potpourri and cardamom and clove spice. The palate is ripe and generous, combining excellent fruit depth with slippery, persistent tannins, resulting in a delicious Pinot Noir with both immediate appeal and further development ahead.
Published 28 August 2025

95 Points — The Wine Front
Tasted July 2025

About TarraWarra Estate

TarraWarra Estate was established after founders Marc and Eva Besen purchased the property in 1979. With encouragement from legendary Yarra Valley winemaker Dr John Middleton, they planted the estate's first six hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1983. The property has since developed into a renowned Yarra Valley destination encompassing vineyards, a winery, cellar door, restaurant and the TarraWarra Museum of Art.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2024
• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• Region: Gembrook, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
• Vineyard: Swallowfield Vineyard
• Clones: D5V12, 114, 115 & MV6
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Fermentation: 100% destemmed; open fermentation; approximately two weeks on skins
• Maturation: 8 months in French oak puncheons and barriques
• Oak: 100% French oak, 20% new
• Drinking Window: Now–2034