Unlike Shiraz or Cabernet, they say you need to spend good money to get a good Pinot Noir but we at WineStar challenge that theory by assembling 3 bottles each from 4 renowned producers from 4 Pinot regions from the Adelaide Hills, Geelong, Mornington and Tasmania.  All four wines have received 92 Points or better from Australia's leading wine critics which serves to highlight the tremendous quality.

The StarDozen consists of the following:

3 bottles        Riposte The Dagger Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2023
3 bottles        Miceli Lucys Choice Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2019
3 bottles        Provenance Golden Plains Pinot Noir 2023
3 bottles        Bell & Gong Valleyfield Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

Riposte The Dagger Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2023
Sourced from the Gumeracha and Lobethal districts, this pours without pretension, light ruby in the glass, cherry fruit and tree-wood fragrance to get you interested. Then pure and straight Pinot flavour profiling with a little anise to add some spice. Bright and perky in the finish, with enough lingering Pinot forest-like earthiness to convince you it’s the real deal, even in its “lite” styling. Very drink-easy. Date: Jan 2024; Price: $24.00; Rating: 92 Points; Tony Love; Wine Pilot

Miceli Lucys Choice Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2019
A lot happening here, and it takes a while to emerge – so please decant first. Once it breaks free you start to appreciate what this is all about. Perfumed black cherry and lifted strawberry varietal notes reveal. The palate is still held tight with that fine precise acidity holding it to a focused very long finish. There’s a silky-smooth palate feel here which is most appealing. An intense and concentrated Pinot that will reward further cellaring. Date: Feb 2024; Drink by: 2024-2034; Rating: 95 Points; Ray Jordan; Wine Pilot

Provenance Golden Plains Pinot Noir 2023
A blend of the best regions from South-West Victoria: Ballarat, Drumborg, Barrabool, Moorabool Valley and Bellarine. Polished and intensely aromatic red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, rhubarb and red plums. The tannins are sandy, leaving delicate traces like steps in the sand. An incredibly aromatic grip coupled with balanced acidity and persistent length makes this multi-regional blend a piece of mastery, combining the best of a part of Victoria often overlooked in favour of the usual reigning wine regions. Drink to: 2024-2033; Price: $37.00; Alcohol: 13.6%; Rating: 95 Points; Wine Pilot

Bell & Gong Valleyfield Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023
This is a relatively new addition to the Tassie winescape although the property dates back to the earliest days of the settlement. It’s bright and with a glistening luminosity evident in the glass. An engaging aroma of cherry and florals with subtle earthy mushroomy characters adding to its complex introduction The palate is medium weight but super intense. A mix of new and older oak up to five years has been cleverly judged while the fine tannins and lick of lively acid give it a real pinot character and structure. Price: $45.00; Drink to: 2025-2035; Rating: 94 Points; Ray Jordan