Maggie Harrison

8.9

unctuous but still lively, not fat- lively. meaty, blackberry, more minerals than expected. long tannins. wouldn’t be a wine that I would pick but I really enjoy it. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot & 3% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of black fruit and floral aromas. On the palate blackberry, currant and plum flavors with cacao, tobacco and oak notes. Fine tannins, long finish, good balance ending with fruit, cacao, tobacco, earthy herbs and toasty cedar notes. Will age another 10 years! — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

The 30th Anniversary of this signature wine grapes Puente Alto vineyard, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and espresso notes, a blend of 98% Cab Sauv & 2% aged for 15 month in French oak (66% new). On the palate flavors of black cherry and  blackberry with herb, tobacco and smoky oak spice notes. Firm tight tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cacao and toasty spice, needs time to develop, cellar a while! Tasting Sample! — 4 years ago

Devin Bray

9.4

All fruit at Yarra Yering is hand-picked into 10kg picking buckets in the cool of the morning, and delivered direct to the winery. The fruit is sorted, then either destemmed or crushed into the traditional Yarra Yering “tea chest” 0.5-tonne open-fermenters. Depending on the variety, stalks may be added back during the fermentation stage in baskets for easy removal when there is just enough stalk tannin present.

Occasionally there will be some 100% whole bunch fermenters for use as a blending component. The stainless steel lined wooden tea chest fermenters were designed to hold just the right amount of fruit to fit into the basket press. During fermentation they are hand plunged for gentle tannin extraction, initiated naturally or sometimes with a specific cultured yeast strain.

Once fermentation is complete they will be basket pressed, preferred for its gentle separation of wine from the grape skins and seeds before being transferred via gravity to barrel.

Completes malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels.
Pleasingly unusual in its initial presentation, redolent of roasted carrots and turmeric, Indian spiced cauliflower. Resolves into a more familiar kalamata olive and ripe red fruit character, with some notes that push the profile towards a bigger, almost chocolatey, vanilla-laced Australian character with a velvety smooth, Syrah-like mouthfeel. The sweet glazed root vegetable flavors remain, quite welcome and delicious. — 4 years ago

Scot Walker

9.1

Dark fruit in the nose with blueberries, blackberries and boysenberries with a hint of vanilla in the palate. Very smooth and a wonderful Grenache blend. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 66% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, Medium Ruby with aromas of ripe black fruits and earthy pepper spice. On the palate complex rich flavors of cherry and blackberry, with oak, leather, cacao and earthy spice. Full body, well balanced, fine tannins, long finish, perfect now but will last another decade. Outstanding! — 2 years ago

William Paley

9.6

stewed cherry and a very present coffee bean opening. animal hide. fruit and grip folding in on itself. an hour in, cocoa notes, herbal highlights, fermented tea, an after-whiff of caramel which stays in the nose even when the palate dissipates...grass-fed butter, cola, burdock root, medicine. an extraordinary and unexpected ride. — 4 years ago

with Ron, Marisa and 1 other

David Shaw

9.2

Cooler Shades of Pinot, 66/34 blend of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Willamette Valley. Pale golden, excellent clarity. Floral and citrus aromas, good acidity, rich mouthfeel, stone fruit, citrus flavors, lemon and lemon peel finish with length. Very well crafted — a year ago

Z. R.G.

8.9

Good on its own — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

There's been a lot of shade thrown on these wines and particularly, towards the wine maker...most of it probably deserved. As for some of the more recent low scores, there must be some bottle variation because I’m not gonna lie, this was a really strong showing. Popped and poured; consumed over two hours. Bruised strawberries, tart brambles, rhubarb, forest floor, and sandalwood. Tannins are well integrated…but still there. Acid is pretty high but perfect for a nice meal of whole, roasted chicken and root vegetables. The wine is otherwise quite balanced and if my bottle is representative, this still has a long life ahead of it and should drink quite well through 2030. My last of the Maison Ilan “Les Chaffots”. — 4 years ago