Levantine Hill Estate Pinot Noir
This savoury Pinot Noir is the result of an assemblage of twelve individual batches sourced from our Maroondah Highway vineyard. Subtle aromas of rhubarb, violets, earth, chervil, mace, leather, pencil shavings & cocoa nib with a stemmy note contributed by fermention with stalks. The composed elegant palate exhibits strawberry, tamarind & peach stone tartness from ingrained natural acidity, softly spreading fruit weight & sweeping talc-like tannins.
De Bortoli Melba Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (CLR)
The De Bortoli Melba Vineyard’ at Dixons Creek has a rich history of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon dating back to the 1970’s. The 'Melba' brand pays tribute to renowned operatic soprano diva, Dame Nellie Melba. 2018 is one of the best vintages of Cabernet we have seen in recent years Warm growing season, even ripening, mild and dry autumn, lots of tannin development. Deep red with purple. Deeply scented notes of blackberry, leaf and cedar wood. Sweet fruited, silky tannins, great depth, smooth and delicious.
Stonier Reserve Pinot Noir
Stonier are the pioneers of the premium region that is the Mornington Peninsula. This outstanding Pinot Noir displays pure elegance and complexity. Dark cherry fruit flavours are balanced by gamey undertones and a savoury finish.
Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir
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.
OAKRIDGE 864 HAZELDENE PINOT NOIR
The Oakridge 864 range is a showcase of highly detailed micro-selections from the most exceptional single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. This Pinot Noir comes from the Hazeldene Vineyard in Gladysdale, a north-facing site at 180 metres elevation. Planted in 1998 with the renowned MV6 clone, the vineyard’s red volcanic soils and cool climate produce wines of precision, purity and depth. A vibrant Pinot Noir with lifted aromas of red berries, florals and a hint of mountain herbs. Layers of boysenberry, plum and subtle bramble add depth, while a touch of carbonic lift from whole-bunch fermentation enhances complexity. The palate is supple and expressive, with juicy red berries, just-ripe raspberries and plums gliding across fine, silky tannins. An elegant elasticity in texture brings both grace and persistence. Balanced, complex and full of energy, this is a Pinot Noir with real presence and length.
Paringa Estate Pinot Noir
Paringa is one of Australia's best and most consistent Pinot producers. This wine shows superb varietal aromas of cherry, plum and spice, and the palate is long, textured and complex. With the ability to be cellared for the medium to long term, Lindsay McCall's Estate Pinot is a certainty to be included in any cellar of a great Pinot Noir lover.
Elanto Vineyard Pinot Noir
Elanto Vineyard, a 10.6-hectare high-density site on the Mornington Peninsula, is managed by acclaimed winemaker Sandro Mosele and his team. With 11,000 vines per hectare—four times the typical density—yields are limited to 300-500g per vine, enhancing concentration and power in the wines. Organic practices, deep soil cultivation, and volcanic basalt soils rich in iron stone encourage site-specific expression, while the vineyard's southeast aspect and cool sea breezes preserve natural acidity and freshness. The five Pinot Noir vineyards—Vertex, Ironstone, Chicory, Kilnside, and Basalt—span 6.7 hectares on the upper slopes with basalt-rich soils. The red volcanic soils transition to shallower, stonier terrain mid-slope, producing lower yields, concentrated flavors, and a distinct tannin profile. Each vineyard was harvested and vinified separately, with chilled, destemmed fruit (3-5% whole bunches) undergoing cold soak and natural fermentation in concrete vats. After 25-30 days on skins, the wine was pressed and aged in a mix of new and older French oak barriques for 11 months before blending and bottling. Very deep dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Potently alluring aromas of dark cherries, strawberries, violet, dried herbs and subtle anise flood the olfactory senses with earthy rhubarb and spicy cedar notes ensuing. Rich and powerful the seductive palate has a wonderful velvet like feel to it with spicy dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb flavours expanding across the palate like a peacocks tail, carrying with it ample textural volume. Lending further interest are brambly dried herb characters, forest floor and spicy cedar. Silky smooth tannins finishing very long, gorgeously fruited and supple. Drink over the next 5-6 years. Alc. 14%
Chandon Etoile
Étoile is the ultimate expression of CHANDON: an ambitious passion project that redefines Australian luxury. Twenty-five years ago, winemaking Director Dan Buckle, had a first taste of the great wines of the world he had previously only dreamed of. A new benchmark for Australian sparkling 25 years in the making. The finesse and complexity opening a new vista of what was possible. With Étoile, this dream is realised: a multi-vintage composition based on eight Chandon Vintage Brut reserves, together representing hundreds of base wines and rounded out with extended ageing. It reflects the ceaseless quest of the Chandon community of past and current winemakers to create the most exceptional sparkling wines. It’s a toast to the free thinkers, the pioneers, the stargazers. Étoile considers the wealth of what can be achieved when free of the limitations of singularities. By focusing on the blend, Chandon have crafted a finely tuned cuvée with no rough edges, that shines like a polished gem. Étoile is about balance, length of palate and complexity drawing from the art of blending. Awards: • James Halliday's 2023 Australia's top 20 champagnes & sparkling wines - 97 Points. • 2024 James Halliday Wine Companion: Gold Medal – 97 Points.
Yarra Yering Agincourt Cabernet Malbec
Garagiste Terre de Feu Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir
Garagiste's only 100% whole bunch Pinot and the wine also sees a little more new oak than the rest. Expect a lifted yet restrained & complex nose with red fruits, smoke, bacon & thyme notes leading to an intense, deep palate with a core of silky Pinot fruit framed by fine, powdery tannins. A serious Pinot that is delicious now but that will equally benefit from a few years in the cellar.