Tussie Mussie’s Pinot block is planted to 777—or the ‘Morey clone’ to give its more romantic nickname. It’s a low-yielding cultivar, and Quealy prunes the vine to a single arched cane, ensuring plenty of light and space around each cluster. These vines are managed organically, with certification to follow in due course. The site is just beginning to show its true potential. The intense, low-yielding conditions in 2022 provided the perfect foil for a glimpse of the vineyard’s true potential.
Tussie Mussie is always the most open of Quealy’s single-site Pinots. The 2022 fermented in two small open-top fermenters. The 777 clone lends itself to the use of whole clusters, so one batch was mostly whole bunches and the other fully destemmed. After 16 days on skins, the wine was gently pressed to old barriques, where it remained for 14 months on full lees. Huon Hooke’s review nicely captures the purity and filigree nature of the wine.