MAY 2008 

As the leaves are changing colour and the cold snaps emerge from the Tasman Sea, we are completing Wedgetail’s 11^th vintage.  This year we were blessed with great fruit to work with and our team was on top of the job, picking the grapes at ideal ripeness to achieve exciting elegance across all varieties.

This letter is to celebrate the release of the 2006 Single Vineyard Chardonnay and 2006 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir.  We are very proud of these 2006 wines.

Last week I presented the ’06 Pinot and Chardonnay to leading restaurants and fine wine stores in Melbourne.  We received 100% approval from all, which was quick to translate into orders.  The sommeliers were impressed with the fruit vibrancy and the way the generous aromas jumped out of the glass so seductively.

Max Allen, wine writer for “The Australian” weekend Magazine, shared the same enthusiasm as sommeliers for the 2006 Chardonnay in his reviews of March 15-16, which follow:

 “ White from the Hills 2006 Wedgetail Estate Chardonnay $34

The more I taste the wines from this Yarra Valley hillside vineyard, the more I’m convinced that the best – from the steepest, coldest, south-facing block – is this superbly complex, grilled nut and peach fuzz-textured chardonnay.”

Here are my tasting notes on the wines, both are under screw cap closure.

2006 Single Vineyard Chardonnay
The Chardonnay was picked earlier than usual with a sugar level of 12 degrees Baume.  The result is a leaner, more flinty-restrained style that shows the true finesse that can be achieved with lower alcohol levels – one of our best  Chardonnays to date.  Delicious with spicy and fusion style dishes, drink now or over the next 5 years.   

2006 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
Like the Chardonnay, we wanted to preserve the acidity and freshness of the temperamental Pinot, so we picked relatively early, on the 26th of February.  In 2002, we  picked Pinot on the 26th of March, so who says global warming is a fantasy?

The gentle handling and a long period of time on lees has given us a super aromatic Pinot.  The  aromas of fresh berries and roses lift out of the glass to excite your  senses. Initially the palate is quite delicate but then you realise that the cherry and plum flavours  linger pleasantly for a very long time.   This Pinot has all the special qualities of a Single Vineyard wine, I call it “bottled excitement”.  Try this wine with Grilled Salmon or Duck, will cellar for up to 10 years. Both these 2006 wines are available from the enclosed order form, along with 2 special and limited wines from the Cellar, namely our 2004 North Face Single Vineyard Estate Cabernet Merlot and the 2004 Single Vineyard Estate Shiraz.  As always, we offer 10% saving on any straight or mixed dozen as well as free freight anywhere in Australia.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy the wines.  And remember, you are welcome to visit me to discuss these wines in person.  Cellar Door is located at 40 Hildebrand Road, Cottles Bridge Victoria, and open on Sundays during the winter months between noon and five.

Happy drinking,

Guy Lamothe – winemaker and proprietor.