Yarra Valley
Yarra valley
Part of the Port Philip zone which surrounds Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is located an hour outside Melbourne and is one of the most important fine wine growing regions in Australia. The Yarra Valley’s viticultural history extends back to 1838 when the Ryrie Brothers planted the first vineyards at what is now Yering Station, with the first vintage produced in 1845 by the legendary James Dardel. In 1863 Hubert de Castella established St Huberts Vineyards and Guillaume de Pury established Yeringberg, bringing the total area under vine to 430 acres. This trend continued with the establishment of Yeringa with David Mitchell planting vineyards at Stringybark Creek increasing the area under vine to 1000 acres. This period of growth was followed by a series of poor vintages and tough economic conditions which saw vineyard production completely cease by 1937.
The Yarra Valley’s modern renaissance began when Reg Egan planted Wantirna Estate in 1963 and was followed in the late 1960s and early 1970s by Mount Mary, Yeringberg, Yarra Yering, St Huberts, Seville Estate, Yarra Burn, Chateaux Yeringa (now de Bortoli) and others, From the this period through to the late 1990’s investment and expansion continued, with the majority of wineries small, quality conscious, boutique producers of top quality wine which fetched appropriate prices. The latter period of the 1990’s saw large scale corporate investment, with Moet & Chandon establishing Domaine Chandon alongside acquisitions by Mildara Blass, McWilliams, Hardys and others.
The Yarra Valley is a diverse and cool climate region with a lower average growing temperature than both Bordeaux and Burgundy, the principle white variety is Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, while the red varieties that the region is renowned for are Cabernet Sauvignon (with associated Bordeaux varieties of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) which helped put the Yarra Valley on the map followed by Pinot Noir which arrived en masse in the 1980s and followed more recently by Shiraz (which is sometimes blended with Viognier). Both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also cultivated as sparkling base. Interestingly, vineyards planted in the cool, upper Yarra Valley for the production of sparkling wine are now being used for table wines. Whether it’s global warming or just that recent vintages have been warmer, there is little doubt that the Upper Yarra including places such as Hoddles Creek and other sub-districts such as Woori Yallock have really come into their own over the last 5-10 years.
Chardonnay styles vary across winemakers and site, with a distinctive aromatic profile of melon and fig in warmer sites and white peach and grapefruit from cooler vineyards. Both styles are characterised by good acidity. Outstanding producers include Oakridge, Toolangi, Coldstream Hills, de Bortoli, Giant Steps, Mac Forbes and Hoddles Creek. The Yarra Valley is one of the first Australian regions to establish Pinot Noir of high regard, with notes of plum, cherry and strawberry and a characteristic underlying sappy acidity and fine soft tannins. Outstanding producers include de Bortoli, Coldstream Hills, Giant Steps and Mount Mary and Wedgetail. Yarra Valley Cabernet is almost always blended with traditional Bordeaux varieties and is characterised as a medium bodied wine, elegant, with notes of cassis, hay, tobacco leaf, fine silky tannins and remarkable longevity. Outstanding producers include Mount Mary, Yarra Yarra, Yeringberg, Wantirna Estate. Shiraz is less prevalent in the Yarra Valley and highly dependent on vineyard location favouring warmer growing conditions. Increasingly producers are following the Northern Rhone Cote Rotie blend by adding small quantities of Viognier for added colour and aromatic lift. Classic Yarra Valley Shiraz is almost always of a cool climate style with notes of pepper, black cherry and spice with fine silky tannins. Outstanding producers include Yering Station, de Bortoli, Jamsheed, Yarra Yarra and recently Serrat.
Sources:
The Oxford Companion to Wine, (ed) Jancis Robinson
James Hallidays Wine Atlas of Australian, James Halliday
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The Hills Apple Cider 330ml BottleMore product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
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Arquiteka Apple Cider 330mlMore product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
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Combes Mic's Merlot 2022“The owner of the vineyard is a grouse human and is always happy to help out, so this wine is an ode to Mic”, says wine maker Oscar Hermann.
Lovely supple wine offering plum and dark mint chocolate, with a few dried herbs. So silky and kind of dense, with lively sappy acidity, and a plush and juicy plum finish of good length. In short, it’s just a really good thing to drink. (93) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front
2022MerlotAustralia506$18.00 As low as $16.20 -
Wickhams Road Pinot Gris 2023More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2023Pinot GrisAustralia506$20.00 As low as $18.00 -
Arquiteka Apple Cider 330ml Four PackMore product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
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Yering Station Chardonnay 2023 375mlBarrel fermented and matured in puncheons (22% new). No mlf. Bright green gold. A touch richer and more complex than the very good Village Chardonnay. An attractive nose of stone fruits, orange blossoms and grilled nuts leads onto the palate, which has good depth and persistence. There's a little orange pith on the long, refreshing finish. (95) PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion2022chardonnayAustralia506$23.00 As low as $20.70 -
Yering Lane Pinot Noir 2023Located in the heart of the Yarra Valley in the sub region of Gruyere, Martingale is a first-generation family run vineyard. Focusing predominantly on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from their 40-acre property of which 20 acres is under vine.
This new entry level Pinot is about as good as you'll see coming out of the Valley for this price. Generous and packed with varietal flavour, it has a great mouthfeel and bursts with juicy cherry, red plum and subtle spice. PWS
2023Pinot noirAustralia506$23.00 As low as $20.70 -
Wickhams Road Yea Pinot Noir 2023I forget what Franco said on his little back label spiel, as I’ve given the bottle away, though it was something along the lines of ‘High acidity from this site, so no need for adds’.
It’s a bit spicy and mulchy, poached strawberry and raspberry, a little mint and floral perfume. It’s crisp, sappy, lively, a smudgy feel to tannin, slightly smoky and tobacco-laced, with a juicy finish of good length, gentle dusty tannin trailing. Nice.. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front
Cooler and drier than their Hoddles Creek vineyards, this Yea Valley pinot is the most reticent and fine-boned of this year's three Wickhams pinots. A light, bright red, this has scents of redcurrants, a little strawberry and blood orange. The palate is compact and very nicely balanced, with gently grippy tannins suggesting that this will need another six to 12 months to unfurl and grow into itself. PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion2023Pinot noirAustralia506$25.00 As low as $22.50 -
De Bortoli Vinoque Grenache Blanc 2022SPECIAL BUY - Fermented in a combination of barrel and stainless steel with a little skin contact. Crushed fennel and nectarine, citrus and slate, a touch of blackcurrant bud in the background. This is a suave, casual, almost understated white wine with a whole heap of charisma tucked up its sleeve, a la the quiet kid who suddenly springs to life when the dance floor revs up. This wine's got some moves. CAMPBELL MATTINSON, Halliday Wine Companion2015Australia506$25.00 As low as $22.50 -
Handpicked Regional Selection Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2023chardonnayAustralia506$25.00 As low as $22.50 -
De Bortoli Estate Pinot Noir 2023From three, mainly south and east facing sites, all planted in the early 1990's. A light, bright ruby red. Red plum, cherries and pomegranate combine with some crushed flowers and white pepper in this stylish and, always, well priced wine. The palate is light to medium bodied with those aforementioned red fruits, some underbrush and very fine, persistent tannins. PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion
The Estate Vineyard wines are elegant, handcrafted wines that reflect the unique characters of the De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate in Dixons Creek where this essentially single vineyard wines from mature vine is made with minimal handling and thoughtful winemaking. Exceptional quality
with a distinct sense of place.
There is a lovely smokey cedary thing going on here, its really inviting giving the pure red fruits and soft sweet spices a lovely counterpoint. A touch of darky cherry and a little wild strawberry as well. That smoky things continues on the palate with combo of black and red forest fruits to the fore and a little garrigue like finish that close it out. It looks pretty serious in some sense but at the same time easy to drink, keeping you come back for more.2023Pinot noirAustralia506$26.00 As low as $23.40 -
Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Noir 2024Red fruit, cherry, a little earthy, with some cinnamon oak showing, and sarsaparilla. It’s a more fruity and bouncy expression of Hoddles Pinot, some grainy chew to tannin, a bit of sap and orange rind, something of a ferrous edge, with a stiff tannic finish of good length. Needs a bit of time to come around. It’s maybe a little more robust and fruity than is usual for this wine, though it’s still good. (92+) GARY WALSH2024Pinot noirAustralia506 -
Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2024Juicy white fruit, grapefruit, aniseed, a little struck match, almond paste, cinnamon and clove spice. It’s packed with flavour, white nectarine and nutty spicy characters, a flinty grip to texture, quite some intensity and power here, and in some respects it seems more Beechworth than Yarra, or so I think. Pear and citrus, lime rind, with excellent length of flavour. It’s elemental as at now, and a little raw, though I reckon it will deliver with a couple of years in bottle. It’s a cracking release. (95) GARY WALSH2024chardonnayAustralia506 -
Wheeler Sauvignon Blanc 2019More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2020sauvignon BlancAustralia506$28.00 As low as $25.20 -
Arfion Pinot Grigio 2024More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2024Pinot GrigioAustralia506$29.00 As low as $26.10 -
Arfion Pinot Grigio 2023Originally from New Zealand, Dave Mackintosh established Arfion with his father Brian and brother Jimmy in 2011. Dave has been obsessed with making wine since '98 and likes to delve deep on a broad spectrum of styles. Sourcing grapes from highly skilled, sustainable growers from across the Yarra, they ensure site and variety are in harmony throughout the season with low impact winemaking at their heart. They do abide by one rule. All wines must deliver good times.
And yes. We know. We already included an ArFion wine on the December Value Picks but Dave-Bro is making wine that is too good to pass-up. Get em while they are hot we say.2023Pinot GrigioAustralia506$29.00 As low as $26.10 -
Wheeler Gamut Red Blend 2021Winemaker Dale Wheeler has been deeply immersed in the Victorian wine industry since 2012, relocating to Melbourne from Brisbane to study Viticulture and Winemaking. For a number of years he worked growing fruit and making wine within the Yarra Valley for Strenua, while also completing a number of vintages for other producers within the region and his experience shows. These are confident wines with lots of immediate appeal.
Gamut 2021 is a thirst-quenching medium-weight juicy red, perfect with a light chill. Made using 100% Upper Yarra Valley fruit, predominantly consisting of Merlot from Yarra Junction - lightly macerated and 40% whole bunch Pinot Noir from Gladysdale. Naturally fermented, with no other additions beyond sulphur prior to bottling. Unfined/unfiltered/vegan.
Plenty of red liquorice, mixed berries, and river rocks on the nose. A touch of soft spice and a savoury bay like note. The palate is crunchy and fresh with a lovely balance of sumptuous fruits and soft but present tannins shaping a delicious moreish finish. Perfect summer red and something you could throw a slight chill on if you were so inclined.
2021Australia506$33.00 As low as $32.00 -
Arfion Spring Pinot Noir 2023Originally from New Zealand, Dave Mackintosh established Arfion with his father Brian and brother Jimmy in 2011. Dave has been obsessed with making wine since '98 and likes to delve deep on a broad spectrum of styles. Sourcing grapes from highly skilled, sustainable growers from across the Yarra, they ensure site and variety are in harmony throughout the season with low impact winemaking at their heart. They do abide by one rule. All wines must deliver good times.
Well, that rule has not been broken here. What a belter of a pinot noir. It says 'Spring' pinot but this will be slurppable all summer long so don't you worry about that. This is all about straight up juicy fruit and absolutely gluggably styled pinot that is light on its feet, crunchy and bursting with fruit. Lashings of raspberry and red cherry with clove, white pepper and a melange of fresh ground sweet spice. It's slippery and so easy to drink and while it comes of feeling pretty and light it still packs plenty of punch. Absolutely delicious!
2023Pinot noirAustralia506$34.00 As low as $30.60 -
TarraWarra Estate Chardonnay 2023More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2022chardonnayAustralia506$34.00 As low as $30.60 -
De Bortoli PHI Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2021From the Lusatia Park vineyard at Woori Yallock, purchased by De Bortoli family in 2016. Whole-bunch pressed, barrel fermented and matured for 9 months in both new and used French oak casks. Bright green gold. Restrained with good fruit purity. Yellow pear, white nectarines and a hint of jasmine, the palate is a happy mix of being both textured and refreshing. A very even wine that finished long with some green apple crunch. PHILIP RICH, wine companion2021chardonnayAustralia506$34.00 As low as $30.60 -
Proud Up The Mountain Fresh Red 2022More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2022RedAustralia506$34.00 As low as $30.60 -
Oakridge Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2023More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2023Pinot noirAustralia506$34.00 As low as $30.60 -
Pacha Mama Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023From a single vineyard in Gruyere. Whole-bunch pressed and barrel fermented in 15% new puncheons. Callie Jemmeson has a good feel for making chardonnay, and it shows on the complex bouquet of white peach, lemon zest, grilled hazelnuts and a soupçon of sea spray. It's mouth-filling and balanced, finishing with a touch of grip on the nicely structured and long finale. 96 PHILIP RICH, wine companion2023chardonnayAustralia506$35.00 As low as $31.50 -
Oakridge Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023'If you ever want to pass some wine wisdom on to someone, just say these three words: Oakridge And Chardonnay. CAMPBELL MATTINSON, The Wine Front
Words to live by and the 2023 looks to be a tremendous follow up to the 2022. We are always shocked at how these wines overdeliver in every possible way, year in, year out.
2023chardonnayAustralia506$37.00 As low as $33.30 -
Yering Station Pinot Noir 2023 375mlMatured in 500L, 18% new French puncheons. A bright cherry red. Aromas of red and black fruits together with some rose bush scents and brown spices precede the nicely concentrated and well-structured palate. The fact that this will get even better over the next three to five years underlines just how well priced this is. (94) SPECIAL VALUE - PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion2022Pinot noirAustralia506$39.00 As low as $35.10 -
Denton Chardonnay 2023More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2024chardonnayAustralia506$40.00 As low as $36.00 -
Yeringberg Babyberg Marsanne Roussanne 2023Our first Babyberg is a playful and modern take on a Marsanne Roussanne blend, with which
we have a long and proud history. The result is golden yellow/orange in colour with herbal, honeysuckle and orange blossom aromas. The lively, floral palate has a lovely apricot-laden, spicy, roasted nut richness balanced by distinct pithy, chewy phenolics that are reminiscent of fine black tea. SANDRA DE PURY
Golden colour. Honey nut cornflakes, mint, apricot, nashi pear, a bag of white mushrooms. It’s a rich and juicy wine, but also quite nutty and savoury, all the peanuts and smoked ham, quince, quite waxy, but also has this woody grainy grip to it, though I quite like the texture here, and it finishes saline and unami with solid length, and something of an orange and Islay whisky character in the mix. GARY WALSH, the wine front2023chardonnayAustralia506$40.00 As low as $36.00 -
Denton Pinot Noir 2023
More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2024Pinot noirAustralia506$40.00 As low as $36.00 -
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2024A 50/50% mix of upper and lower Yarra estate and grower fruit. 30% whole bunches. A very bright crimson purple. Pretty and complex with aromas of red cherry skins and rhubarb together with some pink peppercorn spice and a light savoury edge. More approachable than the '23. As a young wine, the medium-bodied palate is spicy, silky and long. It'll probably age well but it's so good to drink now that there's no need to bother! (95) PHILIP RICH2024Pinot noirAustralia506$43.00 As low as $38.70 -
Yarra Peaks Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2022Pinot noirAustralia506$43.00 As low as $38.70 -
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024An even split of upper and lower Yarra fruit; both estate grown and from growers. Less mlf than last year. Smells fleshy with aromas of stone fruits, together with a little pink grapefruit and light citrus notes. It's both approachable and gentle, even as a young wine, but the balance for drinking now or cellaring in the short to medium term is absolutely spot on. (95) PHILIP RICH2024chardonnayAustralia506$43.00 As low as $38.70 -
De Bortoli Phi Lusatia Park Pinot Noir 20222023 Victorian Wine Show, Best Pinot Noir Of Show - Trophy
2023 Victorian Wine Show, Best Red Wine Of Show - Trophy
2023 Victorian Wine Show, Best Wine Of Show - Trophy
2023 Victorian Wine Show, Grower Best Single Vineyard - Trophy
2023 Victorian Wine Show - Gold Medal
2023 Yarra Valley Wine Show - Gold Medal
A mix of vineyards and clones from the Lusatia Park vineyard in Woori Yallock. Bright cherry red. An immediately appealing wine with its dark cherry fruit, lavender and incense. This has good weight and depth without being heavy. A touch savoury, too, and the tannins are silky and long. Already a joy to drink, this will still be looking good four to six years from now. PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion2022Pinot noirAustralia506$44.00 As low as $39.60 -
Oakridge Hazeldene Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022Impeccably balanced and light on its feet, fine grained and ever so gently chewy tannins round out a wine that's approachable now but will keep. PHILIP RICH, Hallidy Wine Companion2021Pinot noirAustralia506$44.00 As low as $39.60 -
Oakridge LVS Barkala Cabernet Sauvignon 2021From one of the few cabernet vineyards in the Upper Yarra; planted at 240m elevation in Wandin East. Matured in French barriques (30% new) for 15 months. A medium crimson purple. Perfectly ripened cabernet fruit exhibiting aromas of dark cherry, violets, a little bramble and some complexing bell pepper. Medium bodied and compact, the fruit has swallowed up the oak and while it's a touch firm once it fleshes out a little (and it will) this should provide considerable pleasure for a decade or so. 95 PHILIP RICH, wine companion
2021Cabernet SauvignonAustralia506$45.00 As low as $40.50 -
Oakridge LVS Barkala Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Held on skins for 4 weeks after fermentation before 18 months maturation in French oak. Bright crimson-purple, it is an elegant cabernet that has flourished in the warm vintage - the Upper Yarra sometimes poses challenges, but not here. The tannins are savoury and fine, adding to the quality of the wine. JAMES HALLIDAY
2018Cabernet SauvignonAustralia506$45.00 As low as $40.50 -
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2023A 50/50% mix of upper and lower Yarra fruit; 35% whole bunches and matured in French oak (10% new). A bright crimson red. After a few good few swirls, aromas of ripe raspberries, black cherries, wild herbs and some crushed violets soon emerge. The palate, though, doesn't need much coaxing, and this silken, sappy wine has excellent depth and persistence. Will be even better six to 12 months from now. 96 PHILIP RICH, wine companion
2023Pinot noirAustralia506$47.00 As low as $42.30 -
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023An even split of upper and lower Yarra fruit. Whole-bunch pressed and wild fermented in 15% new French puncheons. Around 25% mlf. A very bright green gold. Attractive scents of ripe white pears and nectarines, lemon curd and just the right amount of flint. Packs a punch on the saline, gently textured, gently chewy palate. Great stuff and the perfect entrée to the year's superb lineup of single-vineyard chardonnays. (95) PHILIP RICH, wine companion
Honeycrisp apple skin, lemon zest and green plum. Winter melon and starfruit. Plumes of talc powder, pomice and honeysuckle. Plenty of white delicate florals and a blush of nectarine. Intoxicating acidity and a kefir creaminess on the finish. A spray of saline and oak appears in its round shapes rather than toasty notes. Alive with energy and creeping unsuspecting power. Drinking well now and will cellar 3-5 years, a great wine for the bite of calamari or richness of abalone. (95) SHANTEH WALE, wine pilot
2023chardonnayAustralia506$48.00 As low as $43.20 -
Riorret Lusatia Park Vineyard Chardonnay 2017Lusatia Park is in the Upper Yarra, and the cooler climate - coupled with the modest alcohol - led to the decision to take the wine through mlf. It certainly hasn't stripped the elegance or fresh, juicy/limey acidity of this lovely chardonnay. The Yarra Valley length of flavour is on full display, oak (obviously) simply a means to an end. JAMES HALLIDAY, winecompanion.com
2017chardonnayAustralia506$49.00 As low as $33.00 -
Punt Road Block 1 Pinot Noir 2021More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2021Pinot noirAustralia506$51.00 As low as $45.90 -
Burton McMahon Syme Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2022Pinot noirAustralia506$53.00 As low as $47.70 -
Luke Lambert Syrah 202380% whole bunch, and in 2023, picked a month later than the 2022.
Dark cherry and blue fruits, plenty of spice, black olive and grilled meat. It’s medium-bodied, spicy and perfumed, meaty too, with a surprisingly intense burst of ‘minerally’ acidity through its core. Tannin is all crushed rock and sooty goodness, and the finish is long and savoury and stalky. Very good. (95) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front
Beautifully poised, cool expression of shiraz with concentrated but elegant dark cherry fruit and a subtle overlay of spice. A very good follow-up to the excellent 2022, which is drinking beautifully now. MAX ALLEN, The Financial Review
This year, 80% whole bunches were included. In the crucial early days of vinification, Rosalind foot stomps the ferments three times a day to ensure each berry is quickly but gently popped, maximising the juice’s exposure to skins and stalks. Ferments are fast, and the wine is promptly pressed, settled and racked to 5000-litre foudre for maturation. This is such a composed, vivid young Syrah. Expect bright perfume, spice and dark berries woven through delicious earthy, stony elements. It’s slick, expressive and super long; world-class Syrah at an attainable price!2022shirazAustralia506$54.00 As low as $48.60 -
Yeringberg Viognier 2022Barrel fermented and matured for 10 months in large-format oak. A bright green gold. A hedonistic bouquet of ripe nectarines and apricots together with glacé ginger and honey. Textured but not overdone on the palate, which is gently saline and very nicely balanced. It’s delicious now, but this has enough of everything to still be looking good three to four years from now too. A truly lovely example. (96) PHILIP RICH, winecompanion.com2022ViognierAustralia506$55.00 As low as $49.50 -
Mount Mary Marli Russell RP2 2021Grenache (60%) Shiraz (25%), Mataro (10%) and Cinsault (5%). It’s in keeping with my little Grenache theme this week, except it’s from the Yarra Valley!
It’s complex and a wine of many layers. Raspberry and blackberry, plenty of perfume and spice, hazelnut, something in the way of dried herbs and earth. Medium-bodied, no shortage of red and black fruit, rose oil, but also something a little more meaty and savoury in the mix, with fresh acidity, kind of like pomegranate, fine emery board tannin grip, and a fine ‘minerally’ finish of excellent length. Outstanding in 2021. (95) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front
60/25/10/5% grenache/shiraz/mourvèdre/cinsault. The grenache spends 16 months in 1600L seasoned foudre, the rest matured in barriques (15% new for the shiraz). A wine that shows both the potential of these varieties and this blend at Mount Mary. Perfumed and spicy with red and black fruits and a little Mediterranean garrigue. Brightly fruited and with tannins that are juicy and balanced, this medium-bodied wine is already a treat to drink. PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion2021Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvedre, shirazAustralia506$55.00 As low as $49.50 -
Denton Nebbiolo 2021Various clones and two picks that were both fermented and left on skins. Pressed to 500L French oak puncheons (20% new) and left unsulfured for 18 months prior to bottling. A bright, medium garnet. Perfumed and poised on the nose with its bouquet of morello cherries, red plums, dried flowers, tobacco and orange zest. Even better on the medium-bodied and very persistent palate. Textured and long-finishing with very fine, polished tannins. Bravissimo! (97) PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion
Medium-light ruby colour with the faintest tint of purple in the meniscus; there are a dried flower and dried herb aromas, raspberry and pot-pourri as well, while the palate is medium-full bodied and backed by solid tannins. The flavour seems to drop away a bit soon while the tannins power on and on. Definitely needs food and will perform better with protein than solo. It's a pretty smart Aussie nebb, elegant and approachable right now. HUON HOOKE, The Real Review2021NebbioloAustralia506$57.00 As low as $51.30 -
Salo Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023From the Full Moon Vineyard in Gladysdale. Wild ferment and 100% mlf. There's only one wine from winemakers and friends Steve Flamsteed and Dave Mackintosh, and it's always a good 'un. A bright green gold. There's aromas of ripe stone fruits together with some savoury and complex briny notes. On the palate, this has lots of flavour and punch, finishing long with a refreshing touch of grip. Delicious now and over the next 4–6 years. (95) PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion
One forgets the longevity of something that seems to have great energy behind it, but this is the eleventh year that Salo has worked with this fruit from the Full Moon Vineyard of the Southern Hills of the Yarra. Wild ferment, old oak, unfined, unfiltered, minimal sulphur. A cool and wet start to the season, low and slow growing reflected in the wine somewhat.A quiet and gentle chardonnay of suppleness, creamy flow, soft citrus fruit characters, red apple sweet-sourness and a lick of almond, nougat and vanilla in the mix. An undertow of barely there but refreshing saline acidity does a nice trick too. This feels very even, subtle in its general sense and yet persists beautifully and with freshness with each sip. Classy, understated and delicious. MIKE BENNIE, The Wine Fron
2023chardonnayAustralia506$58.00 As low as $52.20 -
Handpicked Collection Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2022A broad, rather fleshy chardonnay from a vintage of meager yields and considerable concentration. To its credit, despite the waxy spread of lanolin, hazelnut and orchard fruits, the acidity is soft, juicy and palpably natural. This makes for a poised, highly enjoyable chardonnay that is ready to go. Drink now. Screw cap. NED GOODWIN MW, jamessuckling.com2022chardonnayAustralia506$59.00 As low as $53.10
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Handpicked Collection Mornington Penninsula Chardonnay 2022
Light straw-yellow; reserved aromas of straw/hay and tealeaf, nougat later, and pleasant more fruit-driven flavour, attractive, tight and refreshingly dry. Slightly biscuity oak. Reserved, possibly still a bit in its shell and needing more time, but has the makings of a very smart chardonnay. HUON HOOKE, therealreview.com
Yields were way down in '22; thankfully, the wines are generally very good to excellent, this in the latter camp. Pristine flavours comprising white peach and lemon, lightly spiced and offset by fluffy, creamy lees. The palate is superfine, the oak superbly integrated and the finish absurdly long and fabulous. JANE FAULKNER, winecompanion.com
2022chardonnayAustralia506$59.00 As low as $53.10 -
Kenzie Waiohinganga Chardonnay 2022Grown on deep alluvial river sands and stone left behind by the Esk River, vines experience a maritime influence where warm, dry days are followed by a cool sea breeze.
Handpicked fruit was wholebunch pressed direct to 500L puncheons with full solids. 10% of which was new French oak. After a few days, wild fermentation spontaneously started and progressed for 20 days with a maximum temperature of 24 deg C.
Post fermentation the wine was stirred a few times and left to mature at cool and allowed to go through full Malolactic Fermentation. Stirring every 3- 4 weeks. Minimal sulphur was added after 5 months. After a total of 9 months of barrel maturation the wine was racked to tank for bottling. No fining or filtration.
2022chardonnayAustralia506$60.00 As low as $54.00