Category Archives: Yarra Valley

2013 Hoddles Creek Pinot Gris

Three days on skins has imparted a slight blush in the glass. More nutty and textural than fruity but has good weight and presence. Nashi pear, melon with a hint of orange peel. It forms a ball of flavour and … Continue reading

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2012 Ben Haines Warramunda Encore Yarra Valley Marsanne

Ben Haines loves his ‘white Rhone’ varieties and I love him for that…and also because he’s a really nice fellow. This is worlds away from the lean 2011 release and I’m inclined to put that down to vintage conditions although there … Continue reading

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2012 TarraWarra Estate Pinot Noir

New livery and a big step up from the 2012 TarraWarra Estate Chardonnay. This is a Pinot that deserves to be on your radar, especially given the price. Raspberry, tree bark, sour cherry, sap, cedar and toasted spice with a … Continue reading

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2013 Out of Step Lusatia Park Yarra Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Good to see people plugging away at Sauvignon Blanc in the Yarra, particularly from the Lusatia Park vineyard which has produce a few real good’uns. Sees some oak. Indigenous yeast. Smoke, gravel, passionfruit, lemon curd, grass and traces of nuts. … Continue reading

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2013 Out of Step Syme on Yarra Chardonnay

From what is now, among wine enthusiasts, a rather famous vineyard in the Upper Yarra. Wild yeast fermented, matured in one new and five old French barriques with partial malo allowed and some stirring. The Out of Step Wine Company’s … Continue reading

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2012 Hoddles Creek Yarra Valley 1er Chardonnay

I finally made the pilgrimage to Hoddles Creek in August last year. Franco D’Anna drove me around the vineyards and I got a feel for the block sitting at the top of the hill which produces the fruit for the … Continue reading

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2013 Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

The 2012 Wickhams Road wines set the value bar very high indeed. Actually, they were rather alluring regardless of price. The 2013 releases are worthy follow-ups. Plenty of cherry and brambly fruited stuffing with a plum bass line. Forest leaf, … Continue reading

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2012 TarraWarra Estate Chardonnay

While I might save my pennies for the Reserve TarraWarra Chardonnay there’s plenty of people out there who aren’t looking to spend that amount of money or don’t really fret much about the gulf in quality. This is easy-going, affable … Continue reading

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2012 Luke Lambert Crudo Syrah

A wine which has me salivating at the thought of the coming releases of the 2012 Luke Lambert standard and reserve Syrahs. 20% whole bunches, no new oak. Not overly stalky. It’s fleshier than the higher tiered wines have been in the past, the … Continue reading

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2013 Oakridge Over The Shoulder Chardonnay

A perennial bargain. More expansively fruited this year due to vintage conditions but every bit as good as its predecessor. The J&J D’Aloisio vineyard grapes (which have previously made the cut for the flagship 864 label) all made their way … Continue reading

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