Lamonts Cottesloe: 26th January 2026

One of the most popular tastings that the team at Lamonts put on is Australasia’s best pinot noirs that are currently or soon to be available.

As expected, wines such as Mount Mary and Bass Philip starred, but it was some of the more affordable wines that really grabbed my attention. None more so than the 3 Drops 2023 pinot. A brilliant wine for around $35.

Castle Rock was another value pick, with the Dilletti showing very well indeed. And from Tasmania, the Bream Creek is a superb wine and another bargain at $50.

Here are my highlights. All wines were tasted blind and I was not aware of the composition of the tasting.

Reviewed

3 Drops – Pinot Noir – 2023. The pristine fruit is taken to another level here by the addition of some lovely earthy, savoury notes. The fruit quality is outstanding, and the winemaking is spot on. There is just enough grip and structure to make this serious, but not enough to overwhelm the vibrant fruit. The persistence of flavours is truly outstanding and the length a highlight. The finish is lithe, fresh, supple, the oak a textural component, rather than an overt character. Food optional, such is the prettiness. Now – 5 years. Insane value. 95pts – $36.

Castlerock- Dilletti – Pinot Noir – 2024. Pretty, pretty fruit that is floral and beautifully perfumed. This really is a highlight. It is not the most densely structured wine in the tasting. Rather it is lithe, elegant and polished. But do not underestimate this wine. Lurking beneath the pretty façade is a serious side with structure building with air and in the mouth. Great now, but even better in 5 years. 95.5pts – $55.

Picardy – Tete de Cuvee – Pinot Noir – 2021. Cherry and supple, subtle spice to the fore on the nose which also leads on to the palate. There is a bit of wow here, as the balance is spot on. I love the way the acidity plays across the palate, giving the fruit energy and drive. This is a subtle wine, and easy to overlook, but it is seriously good and worthy of your attention. Excellent value in this line up. 95.5pts.

Tolpuddle – Pinot Noir – 2023. Oh, this is good. I mean very good. There is density to the fruit and a supple, silky texture that is very attractive. This reminds me of Central Otago, given the succulent, fleshy fruit and silky structure. And it is oh so delicious and gluggable. Great oak and fruit. 95pts.

Marchand & Burch – Mount Barrow – Pinot Noir – 2023. Another fine, elegant wine. The fruit is subtle and almost delicate, though there is innate power sitting behind the façade. Cherry, berry and spice fruit notes lead on to super fine, texturing tannins and oak. The latter adding no overt flavours, instead adding lovely texture and mouthfeel. Wonderful fruit. 95.5pts.

Yarra Yering – Pinot Noir – 2023. Whilst there is more overt power here, this still remains balanced and almost silky in the way it caresses the palate. The fruit is quite exquisite, with berry notes the defining feature. The fruit is supported by a supple savoury lift that adds interest and depth. Ethereal, this is a beautiful wine. 96pts.

Bream Creek – Pinot Noir – 2023. Minerality leaps out of the glass, but this quickly gives way to pristine, cherry-like fruit. Supple, silky and refined, there are no rough edges at all. This is not plush, rather it is refined and elegant, but it is very silky and dare I say it… sexy. A beautiful wine and very new world in style given the pristine fruit. 95.5pts – $50.

Bass Philip – Premium – Pinot Noir – 2023. Wow. The blueberry fruit is quite spectacular, supported by fine tannins and silky oak. This is the Goldilocks wine of the tasting… Just right. The structural components are merely a whisper in the background, providing the canvas on which the fruit is painted. So so long and persistent this is a sublime wine. Such is its beauty, I can’t imagine this getting any better with aging, given just how good this is right now, but 5 years in the cellar certainly won’t hurt it, Beautifully crafted wine. 96-97pts.

Felton Road – Block 3 – Pinot Noir – 2023. Wowsers. Another superb wine, but here, the minerality and structure are turned up a notch. But this is not to the detriment of the fruit. Rather, they serve as a counterpoint adding texture without dulling the fruit’s vitality. 5 years will see this relax and unwind a little, and will allow the fruit to shine even brighter. 96pts.

Mount Mary – Pinot Noir – 2023. A complete wine and one that is very long and with excellent persistence. But this is a sleeper as there are no overt/defining features at this point. But with air or time, I am confident this will blossom. Very impressive. As this sits in the glass, the fruit continues to build and is so very fine and polished. Lovely. 96pts.

Rippon – Tinker’s Field – Pinot Noir – 2021. Oh wow, this is mind-blowingly good. Sublime, spine-tingling, stunning! There is depth and weight to the fruit, but the structure never gets in the way of the party. Desert Island wine. Yep, it is that good. 97pts.

Lowestoft – La Maison – Pinot Noir – 2023. A fine, ethereal wine that left me swooning and slightly weak at the knees, such is its beauty. The textural components are a highlight, adding great depth and structure in a way that cossets the fruit, rather than overwhelming it.96pts.

Bass Philip- Depuis – Pinot Noir – 2023. And…. BOOM. What a wine to finish the tasting. This is plush, succulent, seamless and oh so good. Beneath the soft, warm exterior, there is real depth and power that ensures that this remains balanced, focused and tremendous drinking. Brilliant fruit. Brilliant winemaking. Brilliant wine. A great wine on the world stage. 97.5pts – $550.