Handpicked

Written By Angus Hughson

Handpicked Wines, based at its model Capella Vineyard, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of operations on the Mornington Peninsula. While down for the Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir Celebration, I visited the vineyard to listen to Dr Mardi Longbottom of the AWRI talk about Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, an important initiative that promises to take the Australian Wine Industry to a sustainable future. Handpicked Wines has engaged with this programme with great flair and commitment. The company, established by entrepreneur William Dong, owns six vineyards in the Mornington and other parts of Australia including the Yarra Valley, Tasmania and the Barossa Valley.

Chief winemaker Peter Dillon oversees the winemaking at the Mornington Peninsula winery and has assembled an impressive team. On my second visit in three days the pair gave a presentation on the use of different fermentation vessels. The increasing use of amphorae and egg-shaped concrete fermenters has added new horizons for winemaking throughout the world. Winemakers are also experimenting with different format oak barrels to gauge the benefits of vinification and maturation of their wines. Handpicked Wines have their own city cellar doors in Sydney (Chippendale) and Melbourne (Collins St). This exemplifies a spirit of entrepreneurship and vision. The direct-to-consumer channel, which comprises cellar door and direct on-line sales, will become very important for small and medium sized wineries over the forthcoming years.


2021 Handpicked Wines Collection Chardonnay – Mornington Peninsula

Pale colour. Grapefruit, nectarine, tonic water aromas with marzipan minerally notes. Well concentrated grapefruit, tonic water flavours, minerally fresh acidity, some al dente bitter sweet saline notes and underlying marzipan with cutting acidity at the finish. Refreshing style. Drink now - soon. 93 points

2021 Handpicked Wines Capella Vineyard Chardonnay – Mornington Peninsula

Pale colour. Grapefruit, tonic water, saline aromas with grilled nut notes. Well balanced wine with lovely pure grapefruit, nectarine flavours, fine loose knit chalky textures, very good mid-palate volume, a touch of viscosity and fresh integrated acidity. Finishes long and bittersweet. Classical style with mouthwatering freshness. Drink now – 2027 95 points

2021 Handpicked Wines Collection Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula

Medium deep colour. Attractive strawberry chinotto aromas with vanilla, herb notes. Well concentrated minerally wine with fresh juicy strawberry, red cherry, chinotto flavours, fine loose knit chalky, touch al dente tannins, some roasted walnut notes and underlying linear fresh acidity. Strawberry pastille/ tangy notes at the finish. Very well-balanced wine with surprising buoyancy and mineral length. Drink now – 2027 12.1% alc 94 points

2021 Handpicked Wines Capella Vineyard Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula

Medium deep crimson. Intense strawberry pastille, black cherry, hint flinty aromas with underlying marzipan/ vanilla notes. Fresh supple and classic in structure with ample strawberry pastille, black cherry, Campari fruits, a hint of graphite, fine loose knit chalky tannins and well balanced marzipan oak notes. Finishes minerally and long. Drink now – 2028 12.2% alc 95 points

2017 Handpicked Wines Capella Vineyard Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula

Medium deep crimson. Well developed strawberry, roasted walnut, dried rose aromas with graphite notes. Complex and silky textured with developed strawberry, chinotto, Americano flavours, fine lacy textures, some roasted chestnut marzipan flavours and well-integrated acidity. Drink now – 2028 12.9% alc 94 points

Angus Hughson
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