2022 Rob Hall Yarra Valley Cabernets

Growing up in Healesville, a young Rob Hall did some summer work in the vineyards during the early to mid nineties before taking up full time work at Yarra Ridge then Punt Road. From 2002 to 2011 he was the winemaker at Mount Mary, it wasn’t until 2014 that he took the leap and began his own operation.

An outstanding entry level Yarra Valley Cabernet from a former Mount Mary winemaker.

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec matured in older French oak hogsheads. Dense inky black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Sailing through the nostrils with ample intensity are aromas of ripe red to black currants and mulberry infused with a combination of violets and bay leaf. Cedary tobacco, subtle black olive and spice notes also chime in. Richly fruited yet beautifully refined and structured the mid weighted palate is laden with red to black currant and mulberry flavours which meld into a cedary tobacco, earthy black olive and bay leaf back drop. Youthfully inky in its feel it has fine grained tannins and a long, elegant conclusion that’s laden with a mix of red and black fruits. By far Rob Hall’s best Cabernet to date.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
Cabernet sauvignon from a vineyard in Gruyere with a tiny amount of malbec from Harriet’s vineyard south of Healesville. Fully destemmed with half the juice fermented as whole berries, matured in seasoned hogsheads. Crimson purple. A very bright wine with aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, crushed violets and just a soupcon of cedar. Medium bodied, this is both creamily textured and structured with ripe, fine-grained tannins ensuring that, as approachable as this is now, it will age well, too. That it's so fairly priced is a bonus. Indeed, I gave it an extra point for that. Drink by 2028.
96 points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion