REVIEWS OF THE 2007 RELEASES
BY JAMES HALLIDAY AND JEREMY OLIVER
The 2008 Edition of James HallidayÕs Australian Wine Companion. has given the 2007 releases outstanding reviews:
The Yarra Yarra 2004
"Tight, elegant and classic, reminiscent of the Mount Mary style; nothing overstated or over-extracted; effortless power and intensity to the dark blackcurrant fruit; great texture and mouthfeel." Cork. 13.5û alc. Rating 96 To 2019
The Reserve Merlot 2004
"There is an intensity to the mouthfeel and flavour which is strongly varietal; olive, bracken and potent cassis fruit all interwoven; love it or hate it style." Cork. 13.5û alc. Rating 95 To 2020
The Cabernets 2004
"Unequivocally the lightest-bodied of the Yarra Yarra reds; notes of briar and bush along with black fruits, and fractionally green tannins." Diam. 13û alc. Rating 90 To 2014
Syrah Viognier 2005
"Very, very rich, yet reflects its alcohol; classic blackberry and spice with firm tannins, and has swallowed up the viognier; redefines the taste borders of Yarra Valley shiraz." Diam. 13.5û alc. Rating 96 To 2025
Sauvignon Blanc SŽmillon 2004
"Typical Yarra Yarra style, with a complete fusion of the varieties and oak in the manner of white Bordeaux; has great length, good balance and natural acidity; ambitious pricing." Diam. 13û alc Rating 94 To 2012
Jeremy Oliver reviewed the 2007 releases and also gave them rave reviews:
The Yarra Yarra 2004
ÒA plush, polished and luxuriant cabernet blend of excellent structure and seamless length. Its penetrative, deeply layered perfume of brambly blackberry, plum and blackcurrant-like fruit knits tightly with scents of cedar, violets, dark chocolate and a lightly herbal, undergrowth-like background. Sumptuous and aristocratic, its powerful and handsomely oaked palate of dark plum and berry fruit is framed by firm, pliant and powdery tanninÓ. 96 points, 13th May 2007, www.jeremyoliver.com.au
The Reserve Merlot 2004
ÒDusted with herbal undertones, this stylish and sumptuous merlot is scented with dark plums, dark cherries, cedar/vanilla/dark chocolate oak and under tones of forest floor. Deep, ripe and earthy, its very slightly meaty palate of deep plum and cherry/berry flavour overlies nuances of underbrush and a slightly spirity warmth. Framed by firm, chalky and fine-grained tannins, itÕs long and persistent, finishing with a note of tobaccoÓ. 95 points, 13th May 2007
The Cabernets 2004
ÒA distinctively regional Yarra cabernet whose earthy, slightly meaty and herbal aromas of intense black and red berries, plums and forest floor-like influences neatly entwine with vanilla oak. Plump and generous, its palate of red berries, plums knits tightly with smooth, creamy oak and a firm, pliant spine of assertive tannins. ItÕs dark-fruited and fleshy, with typically herbal undertonesÓ. 94 points, 13th May 2007
Syrah Viognier 2005
ÒClonakilla has some genuine competition! This ripe, complex and spicy red has a musky, meaty bouquet of wild, briary dark fruits over pungent hints of polished leather, heady spices and heady scents of apricot blossom. Steeped in dark cherries and plums, itÕs powerful and assertive but smooth and pliant, with undertones of minerals and briar. Framed by pliant, but powdery tannins, it finishes long and savoury, with just a hint of ultra-ripenessÓ. 96 points, 9th May 2007
Sauvignon Blanc SŽmillon 2004
ÒLong and seamless, this carefully oaked white Bordeaux blend has a lightly herbal fragrance of fresh lemon, gooseberries and melon with a floral, mineral and lightly toasted, dusty vanilla oak background. Its generous, creamy palate of mouth filling lemon/melon fruit is tightly knit with oak, finishing long and seamless, with lemony acids. Significantly more fruit-driven than herbaceous, it just lacks the acid definition for an even higher scoreÓ. 94 points, 20th May 2007
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