2024 Billy Button ‘The Promised’ Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir, the dream of many a winemaker, had eluded the Billy Button range until 2021. There is very little Pinot Noir grown for red table wine in the region, with the vast majority planted for sparkling base. We didn’t want to tackle the variety unless we knew we could do it justice. Two factors aligned – firstly husband Glenn James started working in the business fulltime, after leaving his job as Chief Winemaker at Winemaking Tasmania, where he handled some of the best Pinot Noir fruit in Australia making highly acclaimed and awarded wines. Secondly, Jo and Glenn discovered the 25+ year old Tynan vineyard at Tawonga South, planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and reworked and rejuvenated it. The Billy Button team managed the vineyard through the season leading up to the 2024 harvest.
Say 'pee-no nwar'
Vintage Snapshot
Alex and Jo tendered the vineyard from start to finish, pruning shoot thinning, picking and everything in between. Unfortunately, a majority of the vineyard was lost to frost, however the fruit that remained was outstanding. Concentrated, with lovely flavour and balance.
Production Notes
Hand harvested over 5 days between the 7th and 20th of March and made up of 85% D5V12 and 15% MV6 clones. There were 6 winemaking batches, with varying amounts of whole bunch and whole berry. Batches were fermented with selected yeasts, hand plunged twice a day and pressed at the completion of primary fermentation. The parcels were matured on lees in a combination of French oak hogsheads and puncheons, using approximately 20% new oak. Batches were kept separate until blending, crossflow filtration and bottling in January 2025.
Tasting notes
Lovely and varietal, sour cherries, dried mushroom and charcuterie, laced with an appealing charry character. The palate is firm and sinewy, with crunchy acidity on the finish.
Optimal Drinking Window - now until 2028
Technical Details
Review
"Single vineyard, mix of clones, partial whole bunch, aged in oak barrels (20% new). A ripe and forward pinot with some all-round drinking appeal starting now. Dark cherries, plums, earthy notes and wild herbs are nicely woven with supple tannins. Generous middle palate, lightly textural, dressed in woody oak spice." Awarded 88 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 19 May 2025