Category Archives: Yarra Valley

2010 Mayford Tempranillo

How good is this?  Pours bright purple.  Juicy blueberries and ribena fruits, bursting out of the glass.  Touched by some brown spices, and a lick of spicy new oak.  Moderate chewy tannins round out an effusive appealing package.  Cellar if … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Tempranillo, Yarra Valley | Leave a comment

Wickhams Road Pinot Noir 2010

A second label from the crew at Hoddles Creek. Retailed around the $16 mark I think, but I cannot see it on their website at the moment so I think it has sold out. But surely the 2011 cannot be … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, up to $20, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | Leave a comment

Yering Station Pinot Noir 2010

A winery sample that has been on the tasting bench for a couple of months. Nicely perfumed: red cherries, rose petals, wood spices, forest floor and a hint of liqueured cherries. The palate is initially very tight: cherry fruits, spice, … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | 3 Comments

Yarra Yarra “The Yarra Yarra” 2002

Surprisingly, a wine from the Yarra Valley; who would have thunk it. Now, I must confess that Cabernet is not my favourite tipple at the moment, so I have been drinking a few just to be rid of them. This … Continue reading

Posted in $50 to $100, Cabernet Sauvignon, Notes, Price, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | 1 Comment

Wantirna Estate “Amelia” Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1998

I have been re-organising the cellar and found 2 bottles of this wine. No ullage to speak of. Still a deep red in colour, with no sign of aging. An attractive nose, red currants and black olives, with some leaf, … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Notes, Price, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | 6 Comments

Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2008

As suggested by Franco, I slapped this in a decanter for 4 hours before seriously contemplating its merits. And he was right because even though the florals were very pleasant, the palate was backward. Very backward indeed. But actually, I … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | 4 Comments

PHI Pinot Noir 2007

I have liked PHI wines in the past, and this continues the trend, despite the difficult vintage. An interesting nose, showing cherries and stalk, with minerals and musk, and a touch smoke and dried meat. Nuanced. The palate was initially … Continue reading

Posted in $50 to $100, Australia, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | 3 Comments

Coldstream Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2006

It’s Pinot Noir weather again, so I picked up a small swag of them from TWE on the weekend. As well as this one, I have the 07 PHI, the 07 Main Ridge Half Acre, the 08 Kooyong Massale and … Continue reading

Posted in $50 to $100, Australia, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | 1 Comment

Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2008

I opened this last night to have with some tasty Thai food. An explosive nose that I could smell half way across the room, showing glossy lemons, grapefruit with a hint of slightly unripe pineapple and a touch of spice … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Chardonnay, Notes, Price, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | 4 Comments

Wickhams Road Pinot Noir 2008

I’ve had a couple of bottles of this now. A delicate nose, lightly spiced, with cherry fruits, a touch of strawberry and some wood spices. The palate is delicate too, red fruits and rose petals, a touch milky and sappy … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, up to $20, Varietal/Style, Yarra Valley | Leave a comment