Who makes it?

De Bortoli have been making wines in Australia since the 1920s.  It wasn’t long after Vittorio De Bortoli moved from Treviso to New South Wales that he was making wine. The family makes a wide range of wines and the Phi is one of their showcase ranges. 

The fruit for Phi comes from selected vineyards in the Yarra Valley and Heathcote. This Pinot noir and the matching Chardonnay come from the Lusatia Park vineyard in the Yarra Valley.  By now some of the vines in the vineyard are 40 years old. 

This is just one of the family’s Yarra Pinots. 

How do they make it?

Phi Pinot noir grapes undergo fermentation in both stainless steel and wood. The winemaker uses a combination of both whole berry fruit with whole bunches. These grapes need no additional yeasts, the indigenous yeasts do the job. After ferment the wine rests for about 9 months in both new and old oak barrels.

What does it taste like?

The ripe cherries and perfume floral notes leap out of the glass here. This Pinot Noir has an elegant medium body and some lush tannins. It is lush and the fruit is intense and the balance is hard to miss.  A sweep of cinnamon oak supports that fruit concentration and the wine moves lightly down the palate. It lingers for a long minute on the finish. 

What to drink it with?

Enjoy a stew with this wine, or roast duck, Peking Duck or even a roast lamb fillet. 

Cheese

Make it easy on yourself, truffle cheddar or truffle soft cheese is the way to go here. Or other hard cheese such as Manchego and Comte.

Quickie review « A good go to Yarra Valley Pinot noir that is reliably good. »

Country of Origin:  Yarra Valley, Australia
Tasting Date: July 2025
Price:  AU$ 45
Drink: now – 5+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Pinot Noir from Australia, why not check out:
Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
Elephant in the Room Palatial Pinot Noir

Visit debortoli for more.