Coldstream Hills (Yarra Valley) – One of the few large company owned wineries present at the show. Clearly has access to some excellent vineyards. The Reserve wines aren’t cheap and can be somewhat variable in quality from vintage to vintage, although the Reserve wines on show today were all very good.
“Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 – Savoury and plummy with good supporting oak and tannins. A long, satisfying finish. 89/100
“Reserve” Chardonnay 2003 – Intense, rich, concentrated nose – Cloves, flour, and lots of butter and spicy oak. Palate length is excellent. Some short term bottle age will do no harm. 89/100
“Reserve” Pinot Noir 2004 – Still quite primary with cherries and redcurrant and just a touch of earthiness. Good balance and structure. Needs 2-3 years to take on some complexity. 89/100
Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 – Tobacco, blackberry, and a bit of a briary, leafy character. Has some structure with oak lurking in the background. May do well with some short term bottle age. 88/100
Pinot Noir 2005 – Fruit forward nose with prominent cherry and plum – lighter and without the structure of the Reserve Pinot tried above. Not bad, but probably best drunk over the next 1 or 2 years. 87/100
Chardonnay 2004 – Nose is fresh and quite inviting with grapefruit and quince, but the palate is dominated by acid. 85/100
Sauvignon Blanc 2005 – Herbaceous nose and lacking intensity on the palate. Short finish. 84/100