Coldstream Hills The Esplanade Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Coldstream Hills prides itself on having access to many of the best vineyards in the Yarra Valley. Back in the late 1980s, James Halliday introduced single vineyard wines to Coldstream Hills demonstrating their unique styles. The tradition has continued with the release of The Esplanade and Deer Farm Single Vineyard range.

"This is such a difference from the Deer Farm pinot of the Upper Yarra. It's a dark and powerful expression of this variety with dominant black cherry with a little strawberry lift evident on the nose. The palate is deep and powerfully structured with a driving intensity. Yet it's still delivered with the finesse and poise of the Yarra. Has that ever so slight gamey and slightly forest floor character which adds tremendously to the palate complexity."  Ray Jordan

'The Esplanade' is the name of a single, north-facing block in the Syme Vineyard at Gruyere in the lower Yarra Valley. The MV6 clone Pinot Noir vines were planted in 1998 in silty, clay-loam soil, and typically produce a deeply-coloured wine with power, intensity and structure. The Esplanade Pinot Noir is made traditionally in small open fermenters and matured in French oak barriques for ten months. 

"Over many years of tasting the wines of the Yarra Valley's Coldstream Hills I have seen many wonderful wines. A few are still deeply etched in my memory to the point I can remember exactly where I was when I tasted them. But having just tasted the recently released range of reserve and single vineyard wines from the outstanding 21 vintage, I have no hesitation in saying this is the best group of wines I have seen from this great producer. As a final comment, these wines are amazing value for money for such quality."  Ray Jordan

"Ten months in French oak – 40% new with the remainder in seasoned French oak barriques. Medium crimson cherry red. The bouquet is brooding, powerful, ripe, and brimming with vibrant dark cherry and muddled strawberry. Savoury whole bunch spice notes are evident with underlying graphite mineral and subtle French oak. The palate is fleshy and textural with depth and a fine chalky tannin finish. Dark cherry notes dominate with vibrant nuances of raspberry and muddled strawberry. Savoury and slightly rustic in style, the wine is further enhanced with subtle French oak, graphite-like mineral and whole bunch spice. 

A near perfect season for cool climate varieties in the Yarra. Good winter and spring rainfall replenished the soil profile allowing a good start to the growing season. Spring was generally mild with no frost, flowering occurred during warm, stable conditions which was ideal. The ripening season was generally mild and punctuated with well-timed rainfall. A very even harvest period with gradual ripening and flavour development, vibrant natural acidity, and excellent quality fruit."  Coldstream Hills

Expert reviews

"Pinosity in spades. This is a wonderful wine. It's so very long, too. Undergrowth, red and black cherries, woodsmoke and more. It's just got that extra something; that (rare) extra curl of complex flavour. Personally, I'll be hunting high and low for this. It's so sordid. So textural. So persistent. Drink: 2026 - 2035."  Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 96 points

"From the 1998-planted, 280m elevation Syme vineyard in Seville. Barrel fermented and matured in French oak barriques and puncheons (36% new). A medium bright crimson ruby. Impressive from the moment I put my nose in the glass. Aromas of black raspberries, damson plums, subtle incense and sweet spice from impeccably handled oak. Medium bodied, this perfectly weighted wine is textured, structured, layered and long. The tannins are simultaneously discreet yet firm, and I'd love to see this in 10 years. Right now, I'd settle for a glass of this and some Peking duck. Drink by 2033."  Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion – 96 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"This is such a difference from the Deer Farm pinot of the Upper Yarra. It's a dark and powerful expression of this variety with dominant black cherry with a little strawberry lift evident on the nose. The palate is deep and powerfully structured with a driving intensity. Yet it's still delivered with the finesse and poise of the Yarra. Has that ever so slight gamey and slightly forest floor character which adds tremendously to the palate complexity. Cellar 10 years."  Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine - 96 points

"Very bright purple-red colour, youthful and fresh, the bouquet is red fruits tinged with mixed spices, the palate intense and fresh, bright and focused, with a backing of fine tannins that persist, and a warmth of alcohol lingers. It just needs a bit more time to build detail, which it seems sure to do. Very good weight and structure. A more terrestrial wine than its partner, the Deer Farm. Drink: 2024–2036."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 96 points

Awards

Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  ★ 

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.