Mayfield Vineyard Estate Range'Mrs Crawford' Pinot Noir

The inaugural release of this wine pays homage to the family that developed the Mayfield property. Made with 39% whole bunch and matured in French oak puncheons, of which 20% was new for nine months. Raspberry leaf, two-tone strawberries and redcurrants. Dried cranberry and autumn leaf litter. Sage leaf, bottlebrush and stinging nettle. The wine is well worked, with the whole bunch adding density. Tannins are chewy, and acidity ebbs and flows but keeps everything humming along. Allspice, salted licorice and cassia bark on the finish. It sits in a good place in the portfolio, with value for dollar a recurring feature from Mayfield.

The high altitude vineyards in the Orange region in New South Wales enable quality Pinot Noir to be grown. This wine is compelling evidence of that. There is a pale crimson colour here and a nose with hints of strawberries, spices, a touch of undergrowth, red cherries and the merest nod to vanillin influences. A touch of truffles as well. A silky texture and excellent length, which maintains intensity for the full journey, the wine is exquisitely balanced. A really impressive local Pinot. Enjoy it for at least the forthcoming six years.

A new wine for the Estate range, this Mayfield Vineyard Mrs Crawford Pinot Noir is a nod to Margaret Crawford who owned the property for 65 years taking over from James Crawford who established Suffolk Stud back in 1917 selling rams worldwide. Margaret planted the arboretum surrounding the homestead with over 50 species, some of which are now over 100 years old. The fruit was hand-picked and fermented with 30% whole bunches seeing French oak for nine months (20% new). Dry and very savoury, there are plenty of autumnal things going on here: undergrowth, dried leaves, dried twigs, tilled earth and mushroom compost. Let it breathe and the red cherry and plummy fruit wriggles forward. Wonderfully weighted, the palate builds intrigue finishing long and urging another sip. This is a very good Pinot Noir. Drink to five years+

Pinot Noir from Orange has come a long way in a very short time. There’s so much confidence in this release – raspberries and dried cranberries rolling with whole bunch sinew and spice. Sage and thyme. A compelling nose. Loads of charm –fleshy and supple – texture at odds with just ripe strawberries, red cherries - those cranberries again. Excellent winemaking. Loads of treble with just enough bass. Sensational value and set to reward time in the bottle. I look forward to tracking the trajectory of this new Mayfield release.

"Garnet hue. Polished rosewood and leaf matter under deep cherry and strawberry fruit, dark chocolate orange squares, a little tea cake cinnamon spice and earthy truffle. Firm and upfront, generous with red fruit finish but staying tight, crunchy and dry with a finish of citrus edged acidity. Tannins are ripe and well spread. Don’t serve too cool, allow to breathe and open up."

The 2023 Mrs Crawford Pinot Noir leads with strawberries and dusted berries, cherry and cranberry. In the mouth, the wine is layered with red berries and shaped by fine, silty tannins. It is tight, tangy, light, crunchy and pretty.

Onion peel in colour, vibrant bouquet of cherries, strawberries and a hint of dried herbs. Gorgeous, mouth filling, beautifully rounded palate with ubber tasty red berries & strawberries and a real classy finish. AWESOME!!

"It's silky, light and bright. Aromas of cherries, raspberry, mushroom and sage flow though on a velvet texture. Has that hard-to0define forest undergrowth complexity. It's good drinking."

This medium-bodied, Estate grown Pinot Noir displays attractive claret-like cherry colour. Initial wafts of pencil shavings, tobacco, fresh cherries and thyme twirl and swirl in the glass on first pour. The aromas and flavours continue to morph and evolve on breathing. It's hand-harvested and vinified to develop and display varietal characters grip and texture. It's youthful and pleasant to enjoy now but will also reward some cellaring.

Good value Pinot from Orange in NSW. Plenty of primary fruits with a touch of struck match on the nose. Some complexity on the palate with texture and intensity. Recommended by Australian wine guide"

"When it comes to a young wine, there are things you expect and, no surprises here, this is youthful in its appearance, aromatically and on the palate. Having said that, gee this is a lovely Pinot Noir to drink and savour. Bright cherries, strawberries and a slight dried herb like character present nicely on the palate to begin with. Then, a good swirl in the glass helped it open up more, seemingly coating the palate and locking the flavours in for a dry, savoury and long finish. A very good edition to the Mayfield Vineyard wine line up."

What a great discovery. Good Australian pinot from cooler regions can easily set you back $75 or more, so by my calculations this one is criminally under priced. It is a very elegant pinot but also has impressive structure thanks to the inclusion of 39% whole bunch material and a year in French oak. This offers typical cool-climate pinot notes; wild berries, mushroom and a nit of undergrowth. The high-altitude vineyard has delivered a little gem here, and the wine is named after Margaret Crawford, who lived on the vineyard property for 65 years. Lovely balance. Great price.

This pinot is light Burgundy in colour with a purple hue. It displays aromas of dried lavender, strawberries and redcurrants, raspberry and sage leaf. The palate has flavours of wild berries, porcini mushrooms and red cherry balanced with silky tannins. Allspice, salted liquorice and cassia bark flavours appear on the finish.

Margaret Crawford lived at Mayfield for 65 years. Living anywhere for that time is an achievement but planting the arboretum was her true legacy, specially if that included grape vines.