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A triumph in context of the vintage, this is undoubtedly a cool year wine, driven by lightly herbal pencil shavings aromatics and tobacco. Yet the palate is disarmingly juicy, giving this weight and drive, even if I think that oak is driving that mid-palate. On the whole surprisingly ripe and easy, if a bit raw and acidic through the finish. Overall impression is quality winemaking in a crap year (for reds at least).

The nose of this elegant wine exhibits fresh dough and lemon zest aromas intermixing with strawberry and vanillin nuances. The palate is full of fresh berry, sorbet and Granny Smith apple flavours. It tastes excellent with Tassie oysters in crispy Tempura batter.

David Bicknell is a Chardonnay perfectionist with a passion for terroir and contrasts in the characters of different vineyard sites. In the glass: Bright fine straw with a green hue. On the nose: Fabulous purity and lift with ripe, complex stonefruit combining with lees and struck match magic. On the palate: A complex funky monster! It shows tremendous depth and umami being satiny soft throughout with amazing refined power and balance and extraordinary length and persistence. Classy!

This 20ha vineyard was planted on red clay loam soil at Woori Yallock in 2001 by Lou Primavera, with whom Giant Steps has a long-standing grape-supply relationship. Pinot Noir (114, MV6 and G8V3 clones) grown here on the north and north east facing slopes at 230m is noted for its complex structure and pronounced perfume. The 114 and MV6 are fermented as whole bunches in open vats, while the G8V3 is destemmed, given a long cold-soak and fermented separately to enhance its aromatic contribution. All ferments use indigenous yeasts and the whole-bunch components are periodically foot-stomped to release additional juice. The wines are pressed to 228 litre, French barriques (about 8% new) for 11 months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

A lovely sparkling wine made from fresh ripe strawberries with a fragrant bouquet of exactly that fresh ripe strawberries!Balance in sweetness and acidity, a great celebratory bubbles.

Toolangi is a state forest just outside Healesville that was devastated during Black Saturday. The excellent vineyards remain, and continue to produce wines of personality and place. The Chardonnay combines varietal characters of quince and crab apple with some delicious nutty oak nuances. Its great value.

Coldstream Hills was established in 1985 by James and Suzanne Halliday and has always produced a benchmark cool-climate Pinot Noir. This beautifully textured wine boasts rich flavours of dark cherries, pepper and foresty notes, with a long and toasty finish.

Coldstream Hills has been consistently producing excellent Yarra Valley Chardonnay for years and if anything it keeps getting better. Stone fruit and grapefruit characters are supported by creamy nutty oak.

A fine example of cool-climate Chardonnay. Elegant and structured this wine shows the finesse of the Yarra Valley at it's best. A perfect white to accompany seafood and white meats.