Best New Winery Winner –
2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
“I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen anything quite like the new Elanto vineyard … it’s abundantly clear that something extraordinary is in the works here. This land … has now reached its ultimate destination: as one of the best vineyards in Australia.”– Campbell Mattinson, Australia’s Best Wineries, campbellmattinson.com
One of the offers we have been most passionate in bringing to you within the past year or so was the inaugural 2023 vintage from Elanto Vineyards, located in the Balnarring subregion of the Mornington Peninsula. Elanto is the brainchild of region veteran Sandro Mosele, chief winemaker at Kooyong for eleven years, before stepping away in 2015 and establishing the beautiful high-density vineyard you see above three years later.
As is commonplace in France, particularly Burgundy, the Elanto vineyard are close-planted, sitting at approximately 11,000 vines per hectare. Though no doubt highly expensive to establish and maintain, this tried and tested format is tremendous for the wine's final quality, and followers have already come to expect sublime balance, specific site expression and lengthy depth of flavour from this blessed label, still very much in its auspicious infancy.
Shortly after the vineyard was established, Sandro identified two 'lieu-dit' for their standout qualities, earmarking the neighbouring Basalt and Ironstone sections with the future intention of separate bottling - another way he can best express the Elanto story. In what was an amazing 2024 vintage in the region, Sandro felt right away he could achieve small-batch bottling from each plot without sacrificing any quality at the estate level; so from this gorgeous year comes 200 dozen only of the 'Basalt' and 'Ironstone' labels! The wines truly could not be more different, with more finesse and elegance in the Basalt, while there's more structure and oomph coming from the Ironstone.
These micro-cuvees take the quality at Elanto to a whole other tier of excitement, and indeed vast potential for evolving in bottle over time! It's somewhat obvious - we are unabashed fans of everything Sandro is achieving, and as a way of paying tribute, the two estate options will be on special for the coming week, and the more limited lieu-dits will drop down 10% in any six bottle purchase! In our eyes, these already offer some of the best quality-per-dollar seen anywhere in Australia, so we urge all to take advantage over these coming days!
The eight 'lieu-dit' identified at the
Elanto Vineyard in Mornington Peninsula
Elanto Chardonnay 2024
On special this week for $79 (RRP $89)
Also available in magnum for $175 (RRP $199)
"A terrific follow up to the inaugural release, coming out with more weight and body. Mid-straw gold and bright. Floral and waxy with lemon, spiced stone fruit, brown spices and honeycomb – lots within yet definitely in the savoury spectrum. Fuller bodied, rich, almost al dente with its phenolics and layers of texture via creamy, nutty lees. It’s detailed yet supple, with a succulence thanks to the all-important uplifting acidity. Moreish and compelling." - 96 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
"This is seriously good. The intensity of fruit is the thing, and the associated length, though there’s a keen textural element and just plenty of wow factor besides. Yellow peach, citrus, nougat, honeycomb and lemon blossom notes charge thoughout. There’s a lot of fruit, a deal of acidity, and a sizeable serve of oak, but all work together and all feel commanding." - 96 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
"What a beguiling wine – only the second release and showing complexity far beyond its years. It’s certainly youthful and pretty with heady aromas of florals and autumn leaves with flavours of wild strawberries, dark cherries and pips, chinotto, Middle Eastern spices and some poached rhubarb, too. The medium-bodied palate is evenly poised, laden with filigree tannins (lots of them) and energising acidity; oak (25% new) completely integrated. This has depth, some grip, a little amaro bitterness on the finish and, of utmost importance, it will age but it’s oh-so pleasing to drink today." - 97 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
Elanto 'Basalt' Lieu-Dit Pinot Noir 2024
Brand new release - available for $150
(10% discount applies in any six bottle purchase!)
"The winemaking for both these new wines is the same as for the estate Pinot - fermented in concrete, tiny percentage of whole-bunch inclusion, elevage in barriques of various age, bottled at the same time. Winemaking should not, and does not, cloud the character of these single sites. The only difference is an extra year in bottle before release. Basalt is a mid-slope site planted towards the western end of the property, where the soils are shallow and the basaltic stone, which is the parent rock for the whole Elanto site, is more apparent. This is the finer of the two lieux-dits, with restrained, delicate aromatics and gliding graceful tannins. Savoury and spicy, with plentiful red and black fruit weight, some sous-bois complexity, and a long, linear finish." - Sandro Mosele, Winemaker
"Since planting Australia’s most ambitious high-density pinot noir vineyard in ’18, Sandro Mosele has already identified unique parcels, this mid-slope and off the east side of the vineyard where basalt is closer to the surface. Such an individual imprint: incredible perfume of wild strawberries and black cherries with forest floor, Middle Eastern spices, menthol and orange zest with more savoury nuances coming through. Complex and detailed. There's a little pinch of green walnut, but mostly sweet fruit coats the mid-weighted palate, as do abundant supple tannins, before the cleansing acidity does its job." - 97 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
Elanto 'Ironstone' Lieu-Dit Pinot Noir 2024
Brand new release - available for $150
(10% discount applies in any six bottle purchase!)
"The winemaking for both these new wines is the same as for the estate Pinot - fermented in concrete, tiny percentage of whole-bunch inclusion, elevage in barriques of various age, bottled at the same time. Winemaking should not, and does not, cloud the character of these single sites. The only difference is an extra year in bottle before release. Ironstone lies near the centre of the property, across a small road from neighbouring Basalt. This has consistently been the lowest yielding Pinot site at Elanto, with less top soil. Flamboyant and concentrated, with a deep core of dark fruit, this is the style of Australian Pinot we expect to see evolve from high-density, low-yielding vines. Expressive from the first sniff, with deep earthy aromas that follow through to a powerhouse, layered palate that is framed by firm tannins and great acidity. Will undoubtedly develop beautifully over the next few years." - Sandro Mosele, Winemaker
"Two Lieux-Dits wines released this vintage, Basalt and Ironstone; fascinating to try them side-by-side. So different. Of course, that’s the point. To date, this is the lowest yielding site; it’s mid-slope, west side and next to Basalt. This needed a bit more coaxing so a decent decant is worth the effort, plus it has more structure and power than its sibling. It’s not just word association either as this has strong ferrous aromas, pomegranate, wormwood, a touch of wintergreen and warm earth akin to freshly tilled soil. Beautiful aromatics. Intensely flavoured, the palate fuller bodied, with supple tannins and bright acidity. Incredible to consider such quality comes off young vines." - 97 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
// Special prices valid through to Friday 11th September
If you wish to purchase either of these wines, please use the links above
Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au