2024 Mulline Nouveau Pinot/Shiraz

2024 Mulline Nouveau Pinot/Shiraz 

94 Points James Halliday

Fresh & Vibrant Geelong Nouveau-Style Blend

The Nouveau Pinot/Shiraz 2024 from Mulline represents an exciting and innovative approach to Australian winemaking, combining the elegance of Pinot Noir with the structure of Shiraz in a fresh, nouveau-style wine. This exceptional blend has earned 94 points from James Halliday, confirming its status as an outstanding expression of contemporary Australian winemaking that celebrates the pure, vibrant fruit character of the 2024 vintage.

 Tasting Notes

This delightful nouveau-style blend showcases bright, fresh fruit character with enticing aromatics of red cherry, raspberry, and strawberry from the Pinot Noir, beautifully complemented by the Shiraz's contribution of blackberry, plum, and subtle spice. The wine displays vibrant floral notes with violet and rose petal aromatics, while gentle spice notes of white pepper and cinnamon add complexity. On the palate, expect medium-bodied freshness with soft, approachable tannins, bright acidity, and a clean, fruit-driven finish that makes this wine immediately appealing and food-friendly.

 Geelong Innovation

Geelong has established itself as one of Australia's most innovative cool-climate regions, where winemakers like Ben Mullen at Mulline are pushing boundaries and exploring new expressions of classic varieties. The region's cool maritime climate, influenced by Port Phillip Bay, provides ideal conditions for producing fresh, vibrant wines that showcase pure fruit character. This nouveau-style approach captures the essence of the vintage at its most expressive and immediate.

 Mulline & Ben Mullen Excellence

Ben Mullen has gained recognition as one of Geelong's most talented and innovative winemakers, with a particular gift for creating wines that are both approachable and sophisticated. His nouveau-style approach to this Pinot/Shiraz blend demonstrates his ability to think outside traditional winemaking conventions while maintaining exceptional quality. Mulline's commitment to showcasing the pure expression of Geelong fruit shines through in this vibrant, contemporary wine.

 Food Pairing Recommendations

• Light Meats: Perfect with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or turkey
• Charcuterie: Excellent with antipasto platters, salami, and cured meats
• Vegetarian: Pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes, ratatouille, or grilled vegetables
• Cheese: Complements soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or fresh goat cheese
• Casual Dining: Wonderful with pizza, pasta with light sauces, or barbecue

 Drinking Window

This nouveau-style wine is designed for immediate enjoyment and showcases the fresh, vibrant character of the 2024 vintage. While it can be cellared for 3-5 years, it's at its peak now, displaying maximum fruit freshness and vibrancy. The wine's approachable style makes it perfect for current consumption and casual entertaining.

 Serving Suggestions

Serve slightly chilled at 14-16°C (57-61°F) to enhance the wine's fresh, vibrant character. This wine benefits from a slight chill, which accentuates its bright fruit flavors and makes it particularly refreshing. No decanting required - simply open and enjoy immediately.

 The Nouveau Philosophy

The nouveau style celebrates the pure, immediate expression of the vintage, capturing the wine at its most vibrant and fruit-forward. This approach, traditionally associated with Beaujolais Nouveau, has been brilliantly adapted by Ben Mullen to showcase the unique character of Geelong Pinot Noir and Shiraz, creating something both familiar and distinctly Australian.

 The 2024 Vintage

The 2024 vintage in Geelong provided ideal conditions for this nouveau-style wine, with perfect ripening conditions that allowed the fruit to develop intense flavor while maintaining bright natural acidity. The vintage's characteristics are perfectly captured in this fresh, vibrant blend that celebrates the season's bounty.

 Perfect for Celebrations

This nouveau-style wine is perfect for celebrations, casual gatherings, and any occasion that calls for something fresh, approachable, and delicious. Its vibrant character and food-friendly nature make it an ideal wine for sharing with friends and family.

An exceptional nouveau-style blend that showcases Ben Mullen's innovative approach to Geelong winemaking. With outstanding critical recognition from James Halliday and immediate drinking appeal, this wine represents the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation in contemporary Australian winemaking.