Vibrantly-labelled skinsy combo of Sauvignon Blanc and a blob of Pinot Grigio, this is hazy, natty fun but deliciously drinkable and clean.

Tasting Notes

A wonderfully perfumed orange wine, awash with jasmine, candied mandarin peel and sea spray. The palate transcends fruit and herbal components, with a lime cordial freshness, incorporating subtle spiced oak across a well textured tannin profile.

Producer

Brothers Brian and Kevyn Joy planted Pyren Vineyard in 1999, surrounded by state forest and farmland. Basking in the sunshine of the glorious Warrenmang valley in the Victorian Pyrenees the vineyard is now under the expert care of Brian’s son, winemaker Leighton Joy alongside viticulturist Graeme Miles. The vines, approaching 25 years in the ground, are producing better fruit than ever before, through a combination of maturity and evolving best practise in the vineyard and winery. The use of organic farming methods (though uncertified) and minimal intervention winemaking techniques underscores their dedication to preserving the natural integrity of the wines. The surrounding mountains play their part and Pyren is planted in an east-west orientation, providing invaluable shade to both fruit and the ground in the warmest part of the day. In winemaking terms, there is a staunch commitment to spontaneous, wild yeast fermentation. Subsequently, pressed wines are encouraged to talk, to generate character, and to evolve in the cellar.

According to Leighton “The intention is to meld the expression of high-quality fruit with integrity and artistic freedom, and the endeavour to fine tune the best style for the fruit is a continuous one”. This philosophy has led to the creation of several unique wine ranges The Earthscape range seeks to express single grape varieties grown on quartz soils, in terroir-driven ways, while their “Little Ra Ra” wines have allowed Leighton to develop a more playful expressions of the Pyrenees. They also produce a Reserve, of their best fruit, traditionally crafted, and designed for aging. All in all Pyren are an ideal blend of innovative spirit and traditional reverence.

Production

Estate grown Sauvignon Blanc, farmed organically and hand harvested. 100% whole bunch carbonic fermentation is undertaken for a duration of 13 to 16 days, after which the wine is transferred to 500L French oak and Acacia barrels and left on lees or 3-4 months.

Sustainability

Composting and under vine mulch underpin an organic approach in the vineyard, where synthetic fertiliser and herbicide has long been abandoned. Although not certified organic yet the vines are organically farmed. The focus at Pyren is on soil health and biological diversity. Water use is managed thoughtfully as the property relies on its own catchment.

Specifications

Woori Yallock has gained cult status for Mac and its not hard to see why. 

Only 1,500 bottles produced

Tasting Notes

This is not about fruit, but about structure, with lemon pith, rock salts, pear skin running the taut, vibrant palate, to a humming and saline finish. Very much in youth, this is powerful now, just starting to reveal itself, and will certainly continue to impress over the coming years in your cellar.

The Wine

This is arguably the finest Chardonnay to ever be produced by the hands of Mac Forbes. The Woori Yallock vineyard is Mac's baby. Planted in 1995, the 'School House Block is owned by the Ferguson family. Mac has been working the vineyard since 2012 and the resultant wines have been spectacular. This is a Chardonnay with amazing intensity. It's wound tight but has a glorious generosity of fruit. Oak sits firmly in the background, Mac allowing the site to shine in the glass.

The Vineyard

Sitting behind the Waramate hills, this area encompasses both red volcanic and grey loam soils making it slightly more complicated to pinpoint a clear identity of this subregion. The undulating hills provide protection from the drier winds, the rainfall is slightly higher and the perfume, weight and structure appears more dense and effortless, pulling through seamlessly to the back palate.

De-stemmed and crushed before pressing, partial malo 10 months in old oak, indigenous, no fining, sterile filtration.

About Mac Forbes

If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.

Mac specialises in single vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.

His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.

And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!

Specifications

Tasting Notes

This vibrant Chardonnay exhibits lifted fruit character, bright tangerine fleshiness, textural mouthfeel, a bright palate and a long and foodie finish. The judicious blend of oaked Chardonnay adds palate weight and texture without overwhelming the fruit.

Production

Long-standing working relationships with some key growers enable us to source premium fruit, with the ultimate aim of making excellent quality Australian house wines with true style and character. Grapes are picked earlier than usual to ensure balance and freshness in the final wine. Harvesting took place in the early dawn hours when it’s still cool and calm which helps retain the rich characters within these grapes. Once in the cellar, they are gently crushed to maintain the bright, fresh flavours crucial to the clonal tang. Around 15% of the grapes are sourced from the cooler, sea breeze-influenced Langhorne Creek area. This portion is barrel-aged in French medium toast casks to obtain a more complex, textural and weighty style of wine. It is then added to the greater part of the blend which is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to retain the fresh fruit characters.

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes

"Soldiers block is a new (affordable) range to us – and the Chardonnay certainly under promises and over-delivers. I say underpromises as the label is pretty underwhelming and gives nothing away about the beauty of the wine within.

This is made from rich, ripe fruit from Victoria with a percentage matured in French oak which gives a creamy, more textural mouthful. Add to that incredible balance and juicy acidity and you have an overall great wine – a real crowd pleaser and one of our most popular whites which tells me our customers have great palates!" Jan 2022

Specifications