Kooyong Estate
Kooyong is a ‘domain’ in the true sense of the word and the wines are made from 100% estate grown fruit at its own on-site winery. Kooyong is located on the Mornington Peninsula at Tuerong and focuses on producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wine; which are both suited to the Peninsula’ s cool maritime climate. The Mornington Peninsula is 60km South-East of Melbourne, Victoria in Australia. The peninsula features an undulating ridge system, which receives considerable rainfall throughout the year. The soils vary from rich red clays, to lighter sandy loams depending on location.
Kooyong’s location was selected specifically to suit production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties. Kooyong lays claim to 52 acres of Pinot Noir and 27 acres of Chardonnay vines. Kooyong strives for complexity in its wines by exercising 8 different clones of Pinot and 10 clones of Chardonnay. Each clone has its own inherent characteristic. When blended together, they give the wine its many flavors and textures. Kooyong uses a variety of canopy management techniques to ensure high quality, concentrated grape production. Some of these include shoot thinning and fruit dropping. The vineyard has been planted with rows running from South to North, which ensures maximum sunlight exposure. The vines are planted using the vertical shoot position (VSP) trellising system. The vines have been spaced out to reduce shading and increase fruit exposure to sunlight.
Kooyong’s winemaker, Sandro Mosele, gained experience while making wine at Rockford, Macedon Victoria and the Green Vineyards in the Yarra Valley with Serge Carlei. He holds a degree in Genetics and has also completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science).
Kooyong Chardonnay Clonale 2008 – Matured for 10 months in French oak (15% new)
BOUQUET Subtle aromas of grapefruit, white peach, and orange blossom.
PALATE Grapefruit mingling with lemon barley, brioche, and honeydew melon flavours. The palate mixes a thickness of texture with crisp acidity.
Kooyong Chardonnay Estate 2006 – Matured for 12 months in French oak (30% new)
BOUQUET Grapefruit and citrus aromas supported by mineral and savoury matchstick characters.
PALATE The palate is linear with grapefruit and citrus flavours as well as stony, mineral characters and a nutty almond finish.
Kooyong Chardonnay Farrago Vineyard 2006 – Matured for 12 months in French oak (30% new)
BOUQUET Matchsticks, white nectarines, lemon zest, cashews and butterscotch.
PALATE Great fresh acidity and minerality which gives a focused palate and a balanced texture. It is a fresh and vibrant wine showing white nectarines, zingy lemon zest and cashews through the palate.
Kooyong Chardonnay Faultline Vineyard 2005 – Matured for 12 months in French oak (30% new)
BOUQUET Tight minerally and floral bouquet dominates at this stage. Citrus aromas are also present.
PALATE Tightly structured and very elegant, the palate is dominated by citrus flavours. Supporting oak is understated. A long and focused wine.
Kooyong Pinot Noir Massale 2008 – Matured for 12 months in French oak (15% new)
BOUQUET Opulent with juicy cherry and raspberry perfumed notes and a supporting minerality.
PALATE A finely structured palate supported by persistent acidity and tannin. This wine shows richness and depth supported by juicy fruits including raspberry and cherry. It has a good linear palate and is supported with subtle oak. An elegant wine which is both approachable when young, and showing potential for further improvement with age.
Kooyong Pinot Noir Estate 2008 – Matured for 18 months in French oak (30% new)
BOUQUET A generous, open nose of red and dark berries, and a touch of vanilla bean.
PALATE The soft, creamy texture reflects the relatively warm vintage, but the sweet fruit is balanced by abundant ripe, round tannins. The flavour spectrum ranges from strawberries, raspberries and boysenberries, through to cinnamon and clove, tapenade and coffee. There’s a thickness and richness of texture that speaks of the vintage, but the varietal character remains pure. Generous and open now, it also has the intensity to age well.
Kooyong Pinot Noir Ferrous Vineyard 2006 – Matured for 18 months in French oak (30% new)
BOUQUET Blackberries, plums, cherries, brambly, cooked mushrooms, earthy with a hint of oak.
PALATE Good acidity, with firm mouth coating tannins and a lean structure. There are earthy, savoury notes on the palate whilst the fruit is opulent and concentrated showing plums and blackberries. The finish is long and lingering.
Kooyong Pinot Noir Meres Vineyard 2005 – Matured for 18 months in French oak (30% new)
BOUQUET The perfumed bouquet is dominated by cherry fruits and floral characters.
PALATE Vibrant fruit characterised by savoury cherries and plums. The tannins are very silky and give the wine length and linearity. The palate is very elegant yet this is a more powerful wine than from previous vintages.
Kooyong Pinot Noir Haven Vineyard 2005 – Matured for 18 months in French oak (30% new)
BOUQUET Cherry and plum fruits on the nose. The oak adds further structure to the wine.
PALATE The palate is silky yet tight, focused and very intense with brooding cherry and plum flavours. The tannins are soft yet substantial and the wine is beautifully balanced.
