The wines of Noon   
Small-production terroir-driven wines from McClaren Vale and Langhorne Creek

Raegan and Drew Noon

I arrived at Noon on a crisp winter's day, to find Drew and Raegan Noon waiting in front of an almost impossibly beautiful dormant old-vine vineyard. It's their Grenache block, planted in 1934, which is at the heart of their wines.

This was a lovely visit, and Drew and Rae have a quiet, thoughtful approach. They produce 2-3000 cases, and it's just the two of them running things. All sales are direct, save the 20% reserved for export markets. Everything sells out soon after release day in November each year.

Red wine fermenters 

Drew's father David bought the property in 1967, which was previously planted with almonds and apricots, as well as this old Grenache block. He'd grown up among vineyards, but worked as a teacher until changing direction in his mid-40s. After selling the grapes for a while, he began making his own wine, and the first release was 1976. 

In the early 1980s Noon started using some old vine Langhorne Creek fruit, in addition to Grenache from this property. More recently, they took the almonds and apricots out and planted Graciano, Shiraz and Mourvedre on this site (another 4 acres). Rae and Drew took over in 1996.

They use biodynamic principals, with minimal sprays, but aren't organically certified. Drew is a Master of Wine, one of just a few in Australia. The wines are lovely, and carry their often high alcohol levels really well.

THE WINES

Noon High Noon Rosé 2015 McLaren Vale, Australia
Deep coloured. Textured, rich and broad with nice weight. Red cherries, plums and spice with a hint of pepper, and nice sweetness to the fruit. 88/100

Noon Reserve Cabernet Reserve 2014 Langhorne Creek, Australia
From 1972 plantings. Sweetly aromatic with floral cherries and plums. Very fine, expressive aromatics. Elegant refined palate showing ripeness with freshness. Some green tea notes, a refined silkiness and lovely purity and precision. 94/100

Noon Reserve Shiraz Reserve 2014 Langhorne Creeek, Australia
From a 4 acre block planted on its own roots in 1962. Sweet floral cherries with fine tea and herb notes. Ripe, sweet palate with nice detail. Warm but with real finesse and purity, with a lovely textural quality. Warm spicy finish. 93/100

Noon Eclipse 2014 McLaren Vale, Australia
Beautifully elegant nose of sweet red cherries with some warm herbal notes, and dried autumnal leaves. The palate has a lovely silky texture with pure fruit. Fine, expressive and fresh with pretty fruit. Delicious. 94/100

Noon Reserve Cabernet Reserve 2015 Langhorne Creek, Australia (cask sample)
There's some structure here with pretty, textured berry fruits. Has elegance and also a bit more weight than the 2014. Grippy finish. 92-94/100

Noon Reserve Shiraz Reserve 2015 Langhorne Creeek, Australia (cask sample)
Structured yet fine with elegant cherry, plum and blueberry fruit with some warmth and spice. Nice sweetness to the fruit. Very fine tannins and lovely weight. 91-93/100

Noon Eclipse 2015 McLaren Vale, Australia (cask sample)
Such elegance here. Sweet berry and red cherry with some raspberry. Fine, expressive, with hints of tea and herbs. Fresh and vital. 93-95/100

VISITING AUSTRALIA'S MCLAREN VALE

Brash Higgins
Dodgy Brothers
Kay Brothers
Yangarra
Bekkers
Noon
Fall From Grace