1999 Yarra Ridge Pinot Noir

Notes sourced from Mildara Blass.

Yarra Ridge is one of Australia's leading small vineyards situated in the premium cool climate grape growing region, the Yarra Valley. Established in 1983 by Louis Bialkower, and acquired by Mildara Blass Limited in 1995, a succession of trophies and medals at national wine shows attests to the consistent high quality of the wines.

Ten different clones of Pinot Noir are planted at Yarra Ridge. The blending of these clonesadds greater complexity to the wine. To enhance the intensity of the aromas and flavours of the wine, careful foliage management has been employed in growing the grapes. Fruit was sourced predominantly from the winery’s homestead plantings, their block at Dixon’s Creek and Martha’s Vineyard in Yarra Glen with the balance being made up of small volumes from the cooler Warburton side of the valley. With the many micro-climates in the Yarra, Pinot Noir has up to a six week harvest period.

The wine is predominantly fermented in one to three tonne open pots. In each vessel there are differing ratios of whole bunch, whole berry and crushed fruit. Numerous techniques have been employed to produce the 1999 Yarra Ridge Pinot Noir including carbonic maceration, cold soaking, manual cap plunging and ‘pigeage’. The wines were pressed off at dryness or at the tail end of fermentation to finish in barrel. The oak mix was new, one and two year old Troncais and Nevers French oak barriques as well as some American oak barriques.

A vibrant, cherry red colour introduces this premium, medium-bodied wine. Spicy plum and cherry aromas with boiled fruit cake and earthy nuances fill the nose, balanced with a hint ofcharred oak. The palate is full with sweet varietal fruit and a rich, velvety texture in a long finish. This wine will gain considerable complexity even with short term cellaring. Cellar 3-5 years. 12.4% alcohol volume.