William Downie 'Cathedral' Pinot Noir, Victoria 2024 750ml

William Downie started his label in 2003 after training at Bass Phillip (under the legendary Phillip Jones) and later became senior winemaker at De Bortoli. He also did harvests in Burgundy with Domaines Fourrier and Hubert Lignier — when Romain Lignier died unexpectedly in 2004, Downie was brought in to lead winemaking there for two vintages. He's since narrowed his own-vineyard focus to Gippsland exclusively, growing nothing but Pinot Noir. Cathedral is named for Little Cathedral Farm, one of its component vineyards, planted in 1998 at the foot of Victoria's Cathedral Range on 400-million-year-old sandstone and shale — that's genuinely where the name comes from, nothing to do with Gippsland.  

Winemaking: Fully hands-off — destemmed but not crushed, native-yeast fermentation in wood and stainless with no temperature control, no punch-downs or pump-overs, no additions beyond a small SO2 dose before bottling, aged in stainless (no oak). 13% ABV, Stelvin screwcap.

Tasting notes: Medium ruby with a garnet edge. Lifted, wild aromatics — native berries (lilly pilly, muntries), bush tomato, pickled rosella, mace, anise myrtle — plus red cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry, rose petal and violet. Palate is light, juicy, fruit-forward with silky tannins: raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate, delicate spice, pink pepper on the finish.

Food pairings: Duck, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, or lightly seared salmon — the wine's light body and high aromatics want something delicate, not a heavy roast.