Further testament to both vine age and the merits & complexity of this blend, which allow the wine to rise above an otherwise challenging year. Classic blackcurrant, cigar box and tapenade aromas, overlaid with notes of violet, Christmas cake and sweet spices, lead onto a supple, savoury and effortless palate that builds towards a long & lively finish.

While mainly known for his extraordinary Chardonnay, Dave Bicknell's Cabernet's continue to fly under the radar of most when thinking of Victoria's greatest cool-climate red wines. This is great for those who wish to keep this little secret a secret for a while longer, but rest assured word will get out as the purity and power of this 864 Cab is something to behold. Minimal, but expert techniques are employed to deliver a Cabernet that is built for the long haul, yet is wonderfully enjoyable in its youth.

Hand-crafted from a single vineyard site, The Paringa is a Pinot Noir of utmost class, pedigree and intensity. Made from specifically selected barrels of Pinot Noir that were clearly superior at the time of blending and bottling, the wine is a powerful amalgamation of spice, cherry and charry oak characters with a palate of extreme persistence and integrity. Yet another Lindsay McCall masterpiece.

Giant Steps is a complex Pinot Noir with terrific varietal character. The nose shows rose petal, dark cherry and tomato leaf aromas and the palate is fleshy but tight, with savoury, dusty notes and silky tannins.

A unique blend of six Portuguese varieties, Touriga Nacional Tinta Cao, Tinta Amarela, Alvarelhao, Roriz and Sousao, all planted in a natural amphitheatre at the highest and most southerly point of the Yarra Yering vineyard.

An array of blood orange, tangelo, strawberry and wild flowers here with pot pourri-like nuances that pervade the dried cherry and spiced red plum fruits. The palate has a very succulent and lithe, juicy edge that emits freshness and crunchy appeal. Very bright finish, drink now.

Tricia Byrnes and Kevin Bell from Hurley first planted vines at their Balnarring property in 1998 with the sole intention of creating three single vineyard pinot noirs. Their philosophy centres around respect of the environment as they see their most important role is viticulture. Briary flavours of raspberries, red and black currents and sage oscillate in the mouth, expressing the pure truth of this vineyard in this vintage. Well structured, generous and creamy. Judicious oak. Very layered with drying tannins giving way to a commanding finish of flaring red fruits and energetic acidity. In a word, complex.

Produced from one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World the Giant Steps Pinot Noir is complex with terrific varietal character. With a minimalist approach to winemaking this Yarra Valley favourite oozes elegance and drinkability. Giant Steps is an independent winery in Healesville, Victoria, owned by Phil Sexton. Phil first made his name in establishing some noted micro-breweries, such as Little Creatures, and later established Devils Lair in Margaret River. First released in 2001, Giant Steps focuses exclusively on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. Grapes are drawn from estate and leased vineyards, as well as a selection of long-term contracted vineyards. Giant Steps wines are produced fastidiously in the vineyard and vinified with minimal intervention so that each is a faithful expression of site, vintage and culture. Giant Steps focuses on restrained Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and cool climate Cabernet/Merlot blends. These single vineyard wines are sourced from five different vineyards throughout the Yarra, so each is a fingerprint of location and site personality. The name Giant Steps comes in part from Phils love for jazz and John Coltranes album of that same name, and in part due the Giant Step Phil took in relocating with his family from Margaret River to the Yarra Valley. Giant Steps wines are always exclusively single vineyard Yarra Valley wines. They are hand made in small batches using gravity flow principles. Production of the Giant Steps wines is very limited with some vineyards producing as little as 200 cases each vintage some wines are not produced each year if vintage conditions do not allow. These wines are often hard to find in retail outlets as they are mainly sold through the cellar door and through selected restaurants.