Wine Article
2022 Yarra Yering Pinot Noir
Last edited on 8/9/2023 by LindsayM
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Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia.
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Appearance: Bright crimson
Vines: The Yarra Yering planting of Pinot Noir contains some of the oldest vines of their type in the Yarra Valley. A mixed planting of 4 clones was undertaken in 1969, then followed up with replication in 1981 (top of the slope) & 1984 (bottom of the slope).
Cellaring: Pinot noir is such an enjoyable young wine, this wine will reward some patience with cellaring for up to 10 years under suitable cellaring conditions.
Analysis: ALC: 13%
The grapes were hand-picked and chilled overnight. Processing the following day along a fruit sorting table and destemmed gently into our signature small fermenters. Some whole bunches were used to contribute subtle stalk structure to the fruit profile. Working of the ferment by gentle hand plunging twice daily contributes to the soft fruit palate along with gentle pressing. Maturation for 10 months in all French barrels with 30% new and the balance older oak.
RRP $130.00
Violets, dark cherry fruits and pomegranate with a hint of cured meat. Ample cherry fruits dominate the palate with a pinch of aniseed spice for complexity. A silky elegance combined with a fine tannin structure, enhanced by some inclusion of bunches to produce a medium-bodied yet powerful style. Plenty of tannin to reward some cellaring.
Silver Medal, 2023 Royal Qld Wine Show
2022 VINTAGE REPORT
The 2022 vintage began slowly with a late budburst and a wet Spring. The Yarra Valley experienced higher than average rainfall in September and October and La Niña was declared which typically means increased rainfall and cooler daytime temperatures.
The unsettled weather had an adverse impact on flowering and therefore fruit set. In particular resulting in greatly reduced yields of Chardonnay and Pinot noir. Shiraz experienced what we refer to as ‘sticky caps’ where the rain causes the flower petals or caps to stick to the other flower parts obstructing the fertilisation process and reducing the number of grape berries. Cabernet sauvignon however set only slightly short of its long-term average crop.
EARLY NOVEMBER CONTINUED TO BE COLD AND STORM CELL ACTIVITY BROUGHT STRONG WINDS AT A CRUCIAL TIME IN CANE GROWTH AND WE LOST ABOUT 30% OF THE OLD VINE PINOT SHOOTS TO WIND DAMAGE DELIVERING YET ANOTHER BLOW TO PINOT NOIR YIELDS. BY LATE NOVEMBER HOWEVER, THINGS STARTED TO WARM UP AND RAINFALL WAS NOW MINIMAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE GROWING SEASON.
We experienced a dry but humid summer with consistently warm days over the Christmas and new year period that persisted until late January. Then some rains with a downpour with the highest January daily rainfall record for Coldstream, our vineyard received 48mm followed by another 18mm. As we are a dry grown vineyard the vines responded quickly after the prolonged dry period causing split and further crop loss in both Chardonnay and Pinot noir.
Relief came in February when only 1mm of rain was received. Dry and mild weather continued which is unusual but was welcome and harvest began at a relatively normal date on 16 February. Some light rains fell after Pinot was safely in the winery and before Shiraz, this stalled ripening and there was a slow and steady flavour accumulation for the remaining varieties.
In summary, after a challenging growing season with reduced fruit set, no real picking pressures were experienced during a mild and relatively dry harvest. The lighter than average crops mean strong flavour development and the mild conditions delivered good acid retention.
Some of the best vintages are made when prolonged hang-time develops flavour with minimal sugar accumulation and early indications are of a high-quality vintage but terribly reduced yields of Chardonnay and Pinot noir.
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Appearance: Bright crimson
Vines: The Yarra Yering planting of Pinot Noir contains some of the oldest vines of their type in the Yarra Valley. A mixed planting of 4 clones was undertaken in 1969, then followed up with replication in 1981 (top of the slope) & 1984 (bottom of the slope).
Cellaring: Pinot noir is such an enjoyable young wine, this wine will reward some patience with cellaring for up to 10 years under suitable cellaring conditions.
Analysis: ALC: 13%
The grapes were hand-picked and chilled overnight. Processing the following day along a fruit sorting table and destemmed gently into our signature small fermenters. Some whole bunches were used to contribute subtle stalk structure to the fruit profile. Working of the ferment by gentle hand plunging twice daily contributes to the soft fruit palate along with gentle pressing. Maturation for 10 months in all French barrels with 30% new and the balance older oak.
RRP $130.00
Violets, dark cherry fruits and pomegranate with a hint of cured meat. Ample cherry fruits dominate the palate with a pinch of aniseed spice for complexity. A silky elegance combined with a fine tannin structure, enhanced by some inclusion of bunches to produce a medium-bodied yet powerful style. Plenty of tannin to reward some cellaring.
Silver Medal, 2023 Royal Qld Wine Show
2022 VINTAGE REPORT
The 2022 vintage began slowly with a late budburst and a wet Spring. The Yarra Valley experienced higher than average rainfall in September and October and La Niña was declared which typically means increased rainfall and cooler daytime temperatures.
The unsettled weather had an adverse impact on flowering and therefore fruit set. In particular resulting in greatly reduced yields of Chardonnay and Pinot noir. Shiraz experienced what we refer to as ‘sticky caps’ where the rain causes the flower petals or caps to stick to the other flower parts obstructing the fertilisation process and reducing the number of grape berries. Cabernet sauvignon however set only slightly short of its long-term average crop.
EARLY NOVEMBER CONTINUED TO BE COLD AND STORM CELL ACTIVITY BROUGHT STRONG WINDS AT A CRUCIAL TIME IN CANE GROWTH AND WE LOST ABOUT 30% OF THE OLD VINE PINOT SHOOTS TO WIND DAMAGE DELIVERING YET ANOTHER BLOW TO PINOT NOIR YIELDS. BY LATE NOVEMBER HOWEVER, THINGS STARTED TO WARM UP AND RAINFALL WAS NOW MINIMAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE GROWING SEASON.
We experienced a dry but humid summer with consistently warm days over the Christmas and new year period that persisted until late January. Then some rains with a downpour with the highest January daily rainfall record for Coldstream, our vineyard received 48mm followed by another 18mm. As we are a dry grown vineyard the vines responded quickly after the prolonged dry period causing split and further crop loss in both Chardonnay and Pinot noir.
Relief came in February when only 1mm of rain was received. Dry and mild weather continued which is unusual but was welcome and harvest began at a relatively normal date on 16 February. Some light rains fell after Pinot was safely in the winery and before Shiraz, this stalled ripening and there was a slow and steady flavour accumulation for the remaining varieties.
In summary, after a challenging growing season with reduced fruit set, no real picking pressures were experienced during a mild and relatively dry harvest. The lighter than average crops mean strong flavour development and the mild conditions delivered good acid retention.
Some of the best vintages are made when prolonged hang-time develops flavour with minimal sugar accumulation and early indications are of a high-quality vintage but terribly reduced yields of Chardonnay and Pinot noir.