Our senior winemaker, Stuart Dudine, flew to Sydney recently to show some of our latest wines to Gary Walsh and Mike Bennie from The Wine Front. Of the seven wines presented, two were very highly rated at 95 points. We're especially excited about the Upper Yarra Chardonnay getting 95 points as it is the first time it has been reviewed.

Here are the reviews. Interesting reading! 

We look forward to sharing these wines with you if you haven't already tried them.

Willowlake Pinot Noir 2022 ~ 95 points 

MB: From the vaunted Willowlake Vineyard, a large-scale vineyard but seems to have currency for quite a few Yarra winemakers. One second use, larger format barrel used. About 10% whole bunches in the mix.

Despite the somewhat light, ruby colour, a density to scents and flavours, intense, black cherry, woody-stemmy characters, garam masala, some sappy cranberry elements, a bit of twiggy woody notes too. Very tense, chewy almost, grippy-flinty tannin profile and a smoky spice finish. Firm, tight, compact. Feels pretty savoury and pretty darn good. 94 points, 2024-2033

GW: 
Curry spice, cherry, strawberry, rosy perfume. Light to medium-bodied, cherry and strawberry fruit, laid in with spice, cranberry acidity, bright and juicy to close with excellent length. Very good. 95 points.

Upper Yarra Chardonnay 2023 ~ 95 points

MB: A 60/40 blend of Full Moon and Willowlake vineyards in Upper Yarra.

Chalky, textural, somewhat savoury white wine. Stone fruits, nougat in a light sense, flint, saline characters, ginger, a touch of parmesan cheese and sake in a great sense, tangy in a way, very refreshing and with chalky fringes lending pucker and chew. Has good energy, a finesse and fine boned nature yet length is there, as is oomph of savouriness. Layered, complex and compelling drinking. 94 points, 2024-2032

GW: Nutty sake like character, white peach, pie apple, Japanese ginger. This has weight and freshness, but it’s complex and nutty, has plenty of texture, nice and sappy on a finish of excellent length. I had 94 or 95 points, and I think I’ll go with the latter.

Siwa Chardonnay 2022 ~ 93 points 

MB: This is from the estate vineyard in Wonga Park in the Yarra Valley. From the highest part of the vineyard, so a selection of vines there.

Quite creamy and sort of rich but has levity and brightness, a glossiness, some concentration of fruit and spice with cool, briny acidity underlying. Fragrant, layers of citrus freshness, stone fruit, light honeyed notes, citrus oil, a touch of mushroom in the mix and a nuttiness to finish. Finishes with a clatter of brine and chalkiness. Savoury, and good. 93 points, 2024-2032

GW: Struck match, umami stuff kind of like chicken stock, cinnamon, pear and cashew, plenty of chalky texture, some pink grapefruit, with a nutty finish of excellent length. Very interesting. 93 points.

Edenesque Chardonnay 2023 ~ 93 points 

MB: Stuart Dudine has been at Kellybrook for the past nine years and working his way through elevating the wines overall. A winery that seems to fly under the radar somewhat, in some respects, but with background since the mid-to-late 70s (planted then) and perhaps the spotlight moves past this history.

It’s a blend of three vineyards, two from upper Yarra, Willowlake and Full Moon, with a portion of the home vineyard in Wonga Park.

Crisp and clean with open weave, limey strength, pink grapefruit, floral notes, crunch of red apple and some faint warm cinnamon spice alongside light nougat elements. Flinty elements, a tactile spice in some respects, finishes clean and bright. The texture here is a standout, so is refreshment factor. 92 points, 2024-2030

GW: Cool, spicy, almond meal, white flower perfume. Grapefruit and pear, good flavour, bright, flinty texture, has length and tastes good. Nice Chardonnay here and good value with it. 93 points.

Edenesque Pinot Noir 2023 ~ 92 points

MB: Whole bunch fermenting, extended maceration, lots of punching down – Stuart Dudine, winemakers, says “I like to layer in as much interest as possible into pinot noir, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade, and push things and get good flavours and ripe tannin into the wine, especially with cooler years and upper Yarra fruit the majority of the wine”.

Pale garnet colour. Crisp, bright, cherry and cranberry juicy, lightweight with good layers of peppery and brown spices. Snappy texture, a crunch through the finish, enough flavour yet stacks of freshness. Rose hip tea elements. Easy drinking and super lovely overall. 92 points, 2024-2028

GW: Strawberry, pretty and perfumed, lots of spice, with a little bit of red capsicum. Light bodied, rosy and red fruited, a little bit simple but really pleasing to drink. It has freshness and good drinking appeal. A little white pepper feel to tannin, fresh raspberry on the finish. 92 points.

Siwa Pinot Noir 2022 ~ 93 points   Yet to be released

Full Moon Pinot Noir 2023 ~ 93 points   Yet to be released

These wines are all available now to our wine club members, in our cellar door and online shop, apart from those that are yet to be released.

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