Description
It was 1983 when Ian and June Marks found their vineyard site after a long search for the perfect pocket of land throughout almost every wine region in Victoria. With views of Mt Donna Buang, a backdrop of the Warburton ranges, red soil and a coveted north-easterly aspect, it is the perfect spot for cool climate winemaking. Gembrook Hill led the way as part of the ‘second wave’ of Yarra Valley vignerons, and today is one of the oldest vineyards in the Upper Yarra sub-region.
Gembrook’s wines are regarded as some of the most outstanding examples of their variety in Australia and are crafted with an old-world winemaking mindset. Most vine age now over twenty years. Gembrook Hill was one of the pacesetters in the Yarra Valley with its restrained yet complex style of chardonnay. The sauvignon blanc possesses characteristics found in Sancerre, and is more austere than the typical Australian and New Zealand examples. And the pinot noir has the elegance of old world Burgundy. The most recent addition to the range, the vintage Blanc de Blancs, has been acclaimed as one of the finest of its type, French or otherwise.
About this vintage from the winemaker: “This is the only wine in our range that is not made from grapes grown on our property at Gembrook. This year our Village Pinot is a single vineyard pinot from a vineyard in Yellingbo in the Upper Yarra Valley. In a curious twist for the Upper Yarra Valley, this vineyard is situated on grey clay loam. So while the fruit has hallmark Upper Yarra perfume it has a denser richer palate and tannin structure. In the winery the fruit is destemmed, fermented on skins for 3-4 weeks and matured in large format old French oak. Unfined, unfiltered. Estate bottled.
“Crunchy bright un-oaked Pinot with good fruit intensity, medium-bodied and supported by lovely aromatics.”
93 points, Phillip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion “From a vineyard in Yellingbo, 6km from Gembrook. A light, bright crimson ruby. A pure-fruited bouquet of red fruits, delicate spice and a light dusting of rose petal. It’s a little richer and more structured than the ’24, and while it’s been made to drink now, this will still be looking good three to four years from now.”
RRP $42 *OUR SPECIAL PRICE $34.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
