Curly Flat
Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Victoria, Australia
Recommended by Jancis Robinson, James Halliday, Gourmet Traveller WINE
Read more…
Curly Flat owners Phillip and Jeni Moraghan's love and knowledge of Burgundy drove their 18 month search to select cool climate Macedon Range as the site to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After a false start in 1991, planting began properly in 1992 and the first wines were made off-site in 1998. In 2002 Phil and Jeni completed their multi-level winery with underground barrel room so that all wine movement could be carried out by gravity.
Curly Flat's philosophy is that great wine is created in the vineyard. Accordingly the choice of site, soil and the management of all that follows, clones, trellising, working methods have all been given the most meticulous consideration and are subject to relentless scrutiny. Since 2008, Curly Flat has followed biodynamic principles and the wines are gaining in complexity and finesse.
In the cellar the philosophy may be of minimal intervention but, in fact, choices are made carefully at each stage of the winemaking to ensure the essence of the vineyard will be fully and most exquisitely expressed.
Due to the emphasis on work in the vineyard Curly Flat initially Phil Moraghan was not going to make the wines at all but was persuaded to do so by Jeni. Moreover, marketing the wines came a distant third in their priorities. This means that their reputation has grown more by word of mouth and the choice of switched on sommeliers than by deliberate placing before the critics. Now, however, they are being recognised as one of Australia's top producers of Pinot and Chardonnay.
Phil and Jeni Moraghan both came to winemaking after careers in finance, sustained by as much time as possible drinking Burgundy. Their goal is not to make Burgundy but to make great terroir Pinot and Chardonnay with all the finesse and complexity of the wines which have inspired them. It is clear from the evolution of the wines that we've imported from vintage 2004 to 2007 that the Macedon Ranges is a superb and inspired choice of site to pursue their dreams.
Wines produced by Curly Flat are 100% estate grown, vinified and bottled.
The Vine Ltd is sole and exclusive distributor in Japan and imports directly from Curly Flat by temperature controlled container
