William (Bill) Downie has long been regarded as one of the finer exponents of Pinot Noir in Australia. With a singular focus yet never afraid to question or experiment, Bill has created a label that is all about capturing the expression of time and place.

Having spent time in Burgundy whilst at the helm at De Bortoli and with the legendary Phillip Jones of Bass Phillip before that, Bill has settled in Gippsland, planting out a small vineyard on his home property, Guendulain Farm, as well as managing a number of vineyards in the regions west, Baw Baw Shire.

The Bull Swamp is a dry grown single vineyard sitting at 150m elevation, on old, red volcanic soils. There are four separate parcels of Pinot Noir, two north facing blocks of MV6 and another of Abel, as well as a more sheltered south facing block of MV6.

The wine has a deep ruby red colour. The nose shows concentrated blackberry, blackcurrant and poached plum fruit aromas as well as rosemary, rosehip and shiitake mushroom. The palate is tight and savoury with rusted iron, wood spice and pomegranate molasses.