100% Pinot Noir/Pinot Nero. Right fresh red fruits dominate the nose with raspberries and cherries being the most obvious. Underlying the fruit are some spicy notes with nutmeg and cloves being evident. In addition there are some mineral components and the overall impression is that this is a fresh, savoury wine. The wine has a Burgundy hue of blood red to maroon. There is just a little cloudiness which is an indication that the wine has been bottled without filtration and fining in order to retain as much flavour as possible. At this youthful stage showing regional characteristics of dark red cherries. A hint of vanilla and elegant earl grey tea & rhubarb follow through on the palate with soft tannin. A supple, richer style of Pinot noir in 2016.

ABOUT OCEAN EIGHT

Ocean Eight is owned by the Aylward family. The winery is located at 271 Tucks Road in Shoreham on the Mornington Peninsula. All grapes picked for this small production come from the Aylward’s 17 Hectares of vines. The Mornington Peninsula has become one of the most sought-after regions in Australia for the production of high quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. These are the varieties planted at Ocean Eight’s vineyards. The winery is managed by Michael & Hollie Aylward whose passion originated over a decade ago with a part-time job at the family’s previous winery Kooyong. Ocean Eight has evolved into the couple’s full-time obsession. This passion-driven endeavour to bring the highest quality wine to the Mornington Peninsula saw Michael win the sought-after Australian “Young Gun of Wine” award in 2011. Ocean Eight wines are lean, bright & tight with acid at the finish. These characters help the wines pair with food and age incredibly well. It is no coincidence that these characters are also intrinsic to the cool, maritime conditions of Mornington Peninsula vineyards, where the Aylward’s chose to grow grapes and make wines over 20 years ago.