Organic. Now in its fifth year, KK01 has secured its position as a mainstay among Quealy’s fantastic range of Mornington Pinot Noirs. The fruit is sourced from two blocks of younger, dry-grown MV6 vines in Quealy’s certified-organic home vineyard in Balnarring. These vines, planted in 1994, are a stone's throw from the famed old-vine Seventeen Rows plot.
The aim for KK01 has always been to craft a delicious, earth-to-glass Pinot with immediate charm and appeal. Hence, there’s a strong carbonic element, little sulphur addition and no impact from new wood. The fruit was picked over two days at the end of March. It was destemmed and fermented as whole berries with no plunging. The wine was pressed after 27 days and matured in seasoned puncheons for 14 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The nature of the vintage combined with Quealy’s organic practice means yields were paltry in 2023—even lower than in 2022. Though there may not be much of it, KK01 shines its brightest yet in 2023. A charming nose of red flowers and berries leads to a flowing, fleshy yet zesty palate with flecks of blood orange and amaro herbs. It’s clear these vines are hitting their straps.