Pinot Noir is a very selective grape. It does not like the heat but likes the sun. It likes to be on well drained soils, so not good on flat landscapes. It likes warm days but more important, cooler nights. It is so demanding that only a few Australian regions can aspire to produce Pinot Noir of any pedigree. The Yarra Valley has attained that status over the decades and we have set out to support that reputation with selecting small patches of older wines from various Single Vineyard sites from across the Valley.
2018 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Upper Ngumby
$40.00
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Clones: MV6, 115
Harvest: 2 March 2018
New Oak: 25% New Oak
Baume at Harvest: 12.5
pH at Harvest: 3.6
TA at Harvest: 6.0
Vegan Friendly: Yes
The Upper Ngumby vineyard is near Yarra Glen, sloping gently east. It is protected from the late afternoon sun by the Christmas Hills rising up to the west. The older MV6 clones coupled with the 115 clone produce a Pinot with restraint, displaying a spicy frame of savoury red fruits and crushed leaf. Wild cherries and fragrant herbs blend well on the palate and are supported by new oak definition and soft tannins.
[2018 Vintage] – 93 Points by Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion 2021
[2018 Vintage] – Silver Medal (93 Points) at Victorian Wine Show 2019
[2018 Vintage] – Gold Medal (93 Points) by Australian Wine Showcase, Sept 2019
[2018 Vintage] – Gold Medal at Melbourne International Wine Show 2019
[2017 Vintage] – Gold Medal (94 Points) by Australian Wine Showcase, Sept 2019
[2017 Vintage] – 95 Points by James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2020
[2017 Vintage] – In TOP 50 2017 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, 2018 The Real Review
[2017 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2018 Perth Royal Wine Awards
[2017 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards
[2017 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2018 Melbourne International Wine Competition
[2017 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2018 International Cool Climate Wine Show
[2016 Vintage] – 92 points by James Halliday 2018 Wine Companion
[2016 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards
“A site protected from afternoon heat by the Christmas Hills to the west. Attractive red-berry characters through the bouquet and palate with a slightly savoury inflection, but this wine’s mostly about the fruit. Light but grippy astringency provides the balance and the length is good. Expect this to flesh out a bit more as it develops. 93 Points.”
Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion, August 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“Medium, pale crimson-red colour from centre to rim. High-toned red cherry aromatics, lifted violets, toasty oak and wild strawberries. Luscious, slightly viscous – a tease of mid-palate sweetness rolls onto a crisp, red-berry-led acidity. Vibrant and fresh. A drink now style. 92 Points.”
Nick Butler, The Real Review, Dec 2019 [2018 Vintage]
“…Juicy red cherries cut loose with blackcurrant and soft spices. Touches of tar, dried leaves and Mediterranean herbs lay dormant in the background. A wave of spice pushes through late. Oak is well balanced before a soft finish gives another reason to repour.”
Qwine, November 2019 [2018 Vintage]
“The vineyard, in Yarra Glen, slopes east and is protected from the afternoon sun. It’s a blend of MV6 and 115 clones, wild-fermented and matured in French oak (27% new) for 12 months. It’s a supremely elegant wine, with a full suite of red fruit/pomegranate flavours and silky tannins. Pure joy. It may be a while before we have another vintage as good as ’17.” (95 Points)
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2020 [2017 Vintage]
“Gentle glacé raspberry fruits, a lovely juicy palate in a generous mode. It’s packed with pinosity and the buxom, perfectly ripe and lively palate is just very inviting. So likeable. Best drinking: Now to five years. 18/20 93/100.”
Oz Wine Review, April 2019 [2017 Vintage]
“Bright red colour. Fresh cherry and strawberry aromas with some oak. Firm at the moment. Needs time to soften.”
2018 Winewise Yarra Valley Pinot Noir Tasting – 4/5 stars [2017 Vintage]
