Shining a light on Victoria’s cool climate Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, including the tip top 2010 vintage

I’ve just posted my notes (here) of last week’s vertical tasting of Ten Minutes By Tractor’s Pinot Noir presented by owner, Martin Spedding, which reminded me how much I enjoyed my visit to Victoria last autumn. 

It’s also reminded me to prompt fellow members of the trade attending this week’s London International Wine Fair to make a bee line for stand M4, which is showcasing Australia’s Cool South East Corner and focusing especially on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. After 2009’s disastrous Yarra Valley bush fires,  everyone is excited about the Yarra’s 2010 Pinot Noirs, which are making their debut – I’m told it’s one of the best vintages in some time.  

Here’s what’s on tasting:

Dress Circle Chardonnays:

Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 (Yarra Valley)

PHI Lusatia Park Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 (Yarra Valley)

Oakridge 864 Chardonnay 2009 (Yarra Valley)

Bannockburn Chardonnay 2008 (Geelong)

Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Chardonnay 2008 (Macedon Ranges)

Yabby Lake Block 6 Chardonnay 2008 (Mornington Peninsula)

Port Phillip Estate Chardonnay 2009 (Mornington Peninsula)

2010 Yarra Pinot – cracking vintage

The Wanderer Upper Yarra Pinot Noir 2010                                                         

Gembrook Hill Pinot Noir 2010                                                                                   

De Bortoli Estate Pinot Noir 2010                                                                              

Mayer Reserve Pinot Noir 2010                                                                                 

Coldstream Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2010                                                            

Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Pinot Noir 2010                                                                                                                              

 2008 or 2009 Mornington Pinot Noir:

 Kooyong Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009                                                           

Ten Minutes By Tractor McCutcheon Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009  

Stonier KBS Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009                                                                    

Moorooduc Estate The Moorooduc Pinot Noir 2009                                        

Paringa Estate The Paringa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008                        

 Other gems:

 Crittenden Los Hermanos Tributo 2010                                                                 

Ocean Eight Pinot Gris 2010                                                                                         

Best’s Great Western Old Vine Pinot Meunier 2008                                        

Mount Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz 2009                                                                 

Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2004