2023 Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir 6 Pack

97 POINTS

Ray Jordan

This is such a brilliant pinot with the structure, the prettiness and the palate feel you seek with this variety. Pretty it might be, but this has a tight structural core guiding it. The fragrances are all cherry and roses. The palate is deceptively powerful, almost belying its light colour. A tight thread of fine tannins weaves through supporting the intense red fruits. This is a high-class wine showing just how good this region is.

95 POINTS

Nicole Bilson - Winepilot

This wine smells like a summer picnic in a rose garden – petals galore, ripe red cherries, raspberries and pomegranate with a spicy kick of pink peppercorns. Mount Barrow is an exceptional vineyard at the higher altitude, eastern end of the Mount Barker subregion of the Great Southern region in Western Australia. Subtle oak spice (25% new) and approximately 15-20% whole bunch allows the quality of the fruit to speak for itself. In the mouth, it is seamless, with flavours unfurling like a peacock’s tail – the mark of a great Pinot Noir. Cranberries, redcurrants and freshly grated nutmeg evolve into rhubarb and earthy just-picked beetroot. Lavender, fennel, rosemary and sage drive a savoury herbal note. There is perfectly integrated acidity and powder-fine tannins. The complexity in this young wine promises cellaring will delight. It stands apart from many Australian Pinots for its elegance and Old World-esque flavours that will extend well beyond the flirty berries of youth.

95 POINTS

Lisa Cardelli - Winepilot

Perfumed and lifted aromas of roses, then dried cranberries, red cherries, red plums, vanilla pods, touch of cloves and dried cooking herbs. The palate is supple and generous in its fruit. It has sweet spices, a multi-layered texture, velvety tannins, and an earthy and savoury quality as it closes. This is such an inviting wine with a discerning length.

95 POINTS

Cassandra Charlick - Winepilot

Perfume leaps from the glass with all manner of charred orange zest, amaro bitters, dried wild herbs, grilled blood orange, potpourri florals, simmering minerality, fine exotic spice and sour red cherry framed in chocolatey oak. The palate follows through in seductive and elegant tones of dried purple florals, oolong tea, crushed lavender, smoked jasmine, smoked wild sage, wild briar wood spice, and sea spray. It’s hard not to steal a cheeky swallow of this liquid beauty, as it’s siren call is heady. Uber fine dusty and red earthed tannins and layered, and silvery acidity aligned. A balanced and poised wine with a pillowy, soft-palmed handshake in front of a firm structure. It leaves you with a sense that there are plenty of secrets to discover behind a charming smile and almost flirtatious gaze

94 POINTS

Tom Kline - Winepilot

Stalky, stemmy spice at the fore aromatically, followed by salted plum, sarsaparilla, raspberry, and wilting red rose. There’s nice restraint and complexity on show here. Some air unlocks cherry cola, earth, nutmeg spice, and a glimmer of dried cranberry to further the interest while brightness and intensity define the palate. Cherry, earth, raspberry, and nutmeg glide through the mouth before ribbons of svelte chalky tannins bring frame, carry, and some welcome bitterness along with a freshening line of clean acidity. The finish is even and long. Overall, a delicious Pinot Noir of balance, restraint and complexity. A strong release.

94 POINTS

Paul Edwards - The Western Australian

Gloriously generous and richly flavoured pinot with raspberry, plum and zingy redcurrant flavours. There’s subtle oak toast and spice with a flash of menthol. This is most definitely not one of those light and breezy pinots. It is a statuesque, with savoury tannins that coats the mouth and provide structure for the intense flavours. Nevertheless, there is a charm and velvety richness which linger long and evokes a smile. Paul Edwards The West Australian - 94 points

94 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion

Showing off an exuberance of youth with fresh strawberries and cherries, kirsch and a hint of forest floor aromas. It’s very primary, although extra time in bottle will ensure this develops complexity. Juicy acidity, raw-silk tannins and an immediate appeal make it hard to resist now, though.

93 POINTS

Kasia Sobiesiak - The Wine Front

A burst of sweet berries, strawberry tart, cranberries, ripe cherries. The first thing to taste is salt, iodine, then peppery spice, dark chocolate, moist earth quality in texture and all is cool and smooth with velvety tannins. It’s well-measured, well-behaved, an imprint of good quality fruit and elegant winemaking style.