Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2018

Interesting wine this which took days to come out of its shell – sometimes the trip up from Melbourne can take a toll but it was well worth waiting for thanks to its combination of power and subtlety.

Deep cherry red with a slight unfiltered haze, it shows layers of red berry fruit, with cherry, raspberry and cranberry aromas, but it is the savoury side that is most impressive – bacon fat, undergrowth, Chinese Five-Spice and even an edge of manure, as all good pinot should…. It then switches in the mouth with dark berry and herbal notes plus a spicy angular palate from stalks that work beautifully together and draw out a long, ethereal finish. It is certainly a sophisticated Pinot Noir that will stand the test of time and offers epic value.