Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir 2012

Coldstream Hills was established in 1985 by Jame Halliday and has since grown to become one of Australia's leading small wineries. Situated in the picturesque Yarra Valley east of Melbourne, the steep close planted vineyards of Coldstream Hills have become a signature of the region. So too have its wines, which reflect regional character, consistency and style.

"Very pure and tense across the palate, finishes with almost the pucker of sourness, but it's not, it's just hewn to a rapier-point with succulent acidity. Smooth, flowing, light to medium bodied feel with graphite minerality laid under bright fruit flavours. Not for the hedonists as is, but for those seeking architecture in their drinking now and across some time."  Mike Bennie

"I spoke with James Halliday at an event recently about 2012 pinot noirs in the Yarra Valley in general, and that I was pretty impressed with what I had seen on a trip mid-harvest, though of course many wines weren't released. I wouldn't say he agreed with me, more that he gave me an impression he was similarly excited about prospects of the same genre. And when I pressed him on his overseer's eye on Coldstream Hills 2012 offerings, he paused, and launched into an effusive but very genuine monologue on the excellence of this vintage (2012) of pinot noirs. Genuinely excited. Genuinely pleased for the team. Genuinely convinced that fruit was excellent."   Mike Bennie

Expert reviews

"Sometimes when I open some pinot noirs, and my mind wanders to more traditional Burgundy producers, the first five minutes or so is for letting the wine get past the pent-up oak aromas, fancy as they may be. This wine did the same – fancy oak aromas for the first five minutes, then the dark and red fruit flows with a higher tone of what I call alpine herbs. Very pure and tense across the palate, finishes with almost the pucker of sourness, but it's not, it's just hewn to a rapier-point with succulent acidity. Smooth, flowing, light to medium bodied feel with graphite minerality laid under bright fruit flavours. Not for the hedonists as is, but for those seeking architecture in their drinking now and across some time. Drink: 2013-2023."  Mike Bennie, The Wine Front – 93+ points

About the winery

Wine writer, judge and personality James Halliday Suzanne and his wife Suzanne founded Coldstream Hills in 1985. It has since grown to become one of Australia's leading small wineries, with a reputation for producing high quality estate wines and outstanding single vineyard and reserve wines. Situated in the Yarra Valley, one of Australia's premier cool climate wine regions, the steep, close-planted vineyards lining the natural Amphitheatre have become a signature of the region.

The Amphitheatre and House Block were planted in 1985. Land adjacent to Coldstream Hills was purchased in 1988, followed by the planting of G Block with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. The year ended with the construction of the winery. The Upper Yarra Valley Vineyard was planted in 1993, followed by the acquisition of the Briarston Vineyard in 1994, and the Fernhill Vineyard in 1996. A new temperature-controlled barrel cellar, capable of handling up to 1500 barrels, was built in 1999. In 2013, Coldstream Hills purchased the Deer Farm Vineyard.

Winemakers Andrew Fleming and Jarratt joined Coldstream Hills in 2001 and are still there today. Andrew has more than 30 years of winemaking experience, including vintages in France at the iconic Chateau Haut Brion in Bordeaux and in the Languedoc region. Their leadership has produced a string of wine show awards over the ensuing years.