As Director of Wine at Marnong Estate, Alex Beckett is excited about the upcoming new vintage of red wines coming to market in April – with the debut of their 2024 Reserve Pinot Noir only weeks away. He loves working in the unique cool-climate terroir of the Sunbury region; one of Victoria’s oldest wine districts keeps him inspired and spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
The diversity of food – my partner and I love dining in Melbourne, with the city offering everything from alley eats to fine dining options – the wealth of flavour available in such a small area is so fun.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
I’m a big lover of restaurants that absolutely nail the snacks. Back home in the Hunter Valley, Frank Fawkner at EXP makes this incredible rolled duck leg ham served on a sourdough crumpet which is just incredible and packed with flavour.
FAVOURITE BAR
Favourite bar is probably Apollo Inn at the moment. Stopping in for a quick drink there in November of last year with Glenn Barry (Tonic Wines) started a love affair for its moody atmosphere and quirky ingredients list for their signature cocktails. Typically to start, I’d recommend a dry gin martini (Churchill style) to awaken the palate.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
I’m an introverted guy by nature, so I reckon a style that takes time to unfurl in the glass and show its personality. Maybe a high-altitude Pinot Noir, restrained at first – but with time being vibrantly fruit driven with florals and mineral savoury notes.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Moscato d’Asti. This offers a fizzy, sweet, grape juice-like quality, but with subtle stoney savoury tones to the best examples. So fun and refreshing.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
The Baxter Inn in Sydney is one of my favourite places. It’s located so deep under Sydney rock that there’s no phone reception to distract, and such a vast array of global whiskies to explore.
OVERSEAS BAR
The 10 Cases in London with its concept of only ever buying 10 cases of any given wine, so it offers a constantly evolving list of interesting and engaging global wine styles. The team there are wine mad, so the chats are great too.
FAVOURITE WINE
So hard to pick one! Probably the most enjoyable bottle recently was a mature 2005 Vat 1 from Tyrrells Family Wines in the Hunter Valley, shared with my partner and a friend at Flotilla in Newcastle. Both food and wine were just delightful. I’ll also be biased and say that Marnong Estate’s 2024 Reserve Pinot Noir that is being released in early April is something really special, with our Reserve range produced only in outstanding years.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Other than Marnong Estate (of course!), I always view Giant Steps as my favourite winery in Australia – great people that are driven to produce some of Australia’s most detailed, complex and age worthy wines from some Australia’s best chardonnay and pinot noir sites.
NEXT DESTINATION
I’m currently planning a trip to Thailand to explore the regional cultures and food offerings, can’t wait.
