Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir 2019

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.

"A particularly serious, sinewy, sappy release. It's flushed with cranberry and cherry-plum fruit flavour, but there's a great deal of savoury character - woods, twigs and spices - threaded throughout and the finish is high on structure. This will drink well from the outset, and there's no question that it will mature well into the medium term, if not longer."  Campbell Mattinson

"The 2019 vintage saw a mild Spring, followed by a warm and very dry ripening period led to a heightened onset of vintage. Despite a compressed harvest period, Pinot Noir held up well producing wines of flavour, texture and depth. Matured in seasoned and new (27%) French oak for eight months.

On the nose, ripe characters of dark cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry and blood plum are enhanced by whole bunch spice and savoury French oak. Medium bodied in style, the palate is vibrant, textural and complex. Dark cherry and raspberry characters dominate with underlying nuances of stalk spice, mineral graphite and beautifully integrated French oak. Fine chalky tannins give the wine structure and length. One for the Cellar."  Coldstream Hills

Expert reviews

"A particularly serious, sinewy, sappy release. It's flushed with cranberry and cherry-plum fruit flavour, but there's a great deal of savoury character - woods, twigs and spices - threaded throughout and the finish is high on structure. This will drink well from the outset, and there's no question that it will mature well into the medium term, if not longer. Drink by 2027."  Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion - 94 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.