Hurley Vineyard 2012 Lodestone Pinot Noir

Take a pair of high-flying legal eagles who turned wine from a hobby to a mini industry and quickly built a reputation for high-class Mornington Peninsula pinot and you have Hurley Vineyard. The brainchild of judge Kevin Bell and solicitor Tricia Byrnes, Hurley Vineyard has over the past decade emerged as a beacon of quality single-site pinots made with tremendous care and affection. In 2012, a cracking vintage, all three vineyards; Garamond, Lodestone and Hommage, shone. While the Garamond and the Hommage will cellar brilliantly, the Lodestone stood out for me for current drinking with a its bright dark fruit, judicious oak and smooth lusciousness on the palate. I'm not afraid to admit that my bottle simply evaporated. Be quick, because there are only 300 cases of each wine made. $70. www.hurleyvineyard.com.au.