“The second half of 2021 was remarkably similar to that of 2020 — wild winds in early winter whipped trees onto fences and sheds; we cooked and ate by candlelight for days; the ground was so wet that tractors and utes were bogged every day; the sheep were very fecund and the golden wattles were a beacon of brightness and renewal for us in lockdown in our rural part of ‘metropolitan Melbourne’.
“Our vines, animals and pastures haven’t heard of Covid so our day-to-day work and that of our staff, living on and from the land, continues. We are lucky, very lucky.
“The vines have all broken out of their winter dormancy, a little earlier than usual, and the vineyard is changing to the brilliant green of spring, a scene of tiny growing leaves and short, bright shoots and tendrils.
“Our vine-replacement program continues apace. The young vines planted last December are mostly doing well, and there are more to plant this year and next. After a few years when these vines bear fruit, it will be fascinating to see how the changes of orientation, spacing and aspect will show themselves in the grapes and wines.
“As the sun rises on 2022 and we prepare for a new harvest, we’re delighted to present the 2019 wines to the trade. That season was a weather rollercoaster, which resulted in a stunning set of wines.
“The wet spring and early summer set up the vines well for strong growth, and our careful vineyard management kept the threatened fungal diseases at bay. January and early February were hot, the autumn was more comfortable and the fruit ripened in a steady sequence. It is a vintage characterised by moderate yields, very healthy fruit and balanced wines, less opulent than 2018 but more forward than the 2017 wines.
“We hope that you and those around you will enjoy our latest work.” – Sandra de Pury
THE WINES
2019 Yeringberg Viognier $46
2019 has produced a wonderful Viognier that straddles that fine line between opulence and generosity, with a sense of freshness and vitality keeping everything in check. Packed full of exotic mango, lychee, candied ginger and peach aromas, the nose also offers a more subtle array of jasmine, orange blossom and rosewater notes. The palate is almost hedonistic with its unctuous, pulpy, apricot generosity, a sense of savoury restraint with neatly pitched phenolics and lifted, gently honeyed length. A joyous edition of our Viognier, best enjoyed over the next few years. – Sandra de Pury
Hits all the Viognier markers. Jasmine, ginger, fresh apricot, lime and lemon. It’s bright, packed with varietal flavour, yet keeps itself trim and lively, succulence and perfume, heady spice and fine powdery texture, with a lychee and ginger laden finish of excellent length. All just so. Top shelf.
95 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
2019 Yeringberg Marsanne Roussanne $75
Marsanne 64%, Roussanne 36%. Our 2019 white blend is a wine of subtlety, nuance and savoury complexity. Initially demure, the nose offers savoury, quince and herbal notes, almond, delicate jasmine and honeysuckle florals. With time in the glass, aromas evolve towards spiced pear, honeydew, lanolin and white pepper. The palate starts with lively, deeply savoury citrus and quince notes, a midpalate that’s an almost contradictory combination of limpid and delicately textural pear skin notes with a generously unctuous sense of breadth and richness, before closing with elegance, finesse and driving length. This is a food wine, and one we’ll watch keenly over the next 8-10 years.– Sandra de Pury
White flowers, aniseed and ginger, stone fruit. It’s light, fresh in acidity, but has golden beeswax and cornflakes, and stonefruit flavour, a light but sure grainy/dusty texture, plenty of spice and perfume, and a crisp finish of excellent length and nutty complexity. Really like this.
94 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
2019 Yeringberg Chardonnay $75
A wine of subtlety and composure, our 2019 Chardonnay is a wine of real presence. Cool, elegant floral aromas with notes of nectarine, citrus blossom and struck match, develop to offer generosity and richness, with hints of white peach, hazelnut and oatmeal biscuit. The palate is initially lively, creamy and citrus-driven, leading to a lovely touch of pithiness framing the subtle nectarine and lemon curd fruit, and a long, savoury finish. A wine that offers immediate pleasure, but equally, one that will reward 4-5 years in the cellar. – Sandra de Pury
Where to start? There’s a lot of flavour and depth here. It’s not too big, although full of stone fruits and citrus, candied and fresh, with some spicy grilled nuts and a creamy lusciousness. Savouriness, too, with oak neatly in place. The overall impression is a stylish wine.
95 points. Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2022
2019 Yeringberg Pinot Noir $107
The 2019 Pinot Noir combines the kind of ripeness and generosity, delicacy and finesse that characterise great Pinot Noir. Initially reserved, the nose offers notes of sun-kissed strawberry, blood plum and rose petal, together with exotic hints of musk and nutmeg. The palate has a supple richness, with a depth of flavour built on both the character of the vintage and the age of the vines. Juicy strawberry fruit, plum and rhubarb flavours are underpinned by an almost luxuriant structure that’s defined by savoury mushroom and spicy oak notes, all of which come together beautifully on the deeply perfumed finish. This is a wine to enjoy now and will build complexity with 8-10 years in the bottle. – Sandra de Pury
This has aromas of fresh red cherries and raspberries, as well as a gently spicy and modern reductive edge that holds freshness and complexity. The palate is a sleek and fine-boned affair with bright strawberries and red cherries, set in plush, supple tannins that carry fresh red and darker-cherry flavours long. Impressive. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 points. Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com
2019 Yeringberg Shiraz $107
Shiraz 97%, Viognier 3%. The 2019 Shiraz demonstrates again that our part of the Yarra can produce wonderfully spicy, elegant and age-worthy Shiraz. An energetic array of blueberry, white pepper, and bay leaf aromas leap from the glass, followed by Moroccan spice notes, liquorice and dark cherry. The palate has brightness and energy as well as a beguiling subtle, savoury depth. The fruit rides on the back of a powerful yet perfectly pitched tannic framework that provides wonderful drive, and delivers a wine of freshness and length. The wine evolves beautifully, settling into its frame and showing lovely poise, control and lingering complexity. A wine to enjoy for at least the next 10 years. – Sandra de Pury
A lot of complexity and savouriness come out to play this vintage, alongside a wonderful coolness across the palate. Expect dark plums, licorice and menthol, juniper, a dash of pepper and roasted root vegetables. It’s fuller- bodied, with a covering of textural tannins and bright acidity.
95 points. Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2022
2019 Yeringberg Cabernets $107
Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Cabernet Franc 13%, Merlot 13%, Petit Verdot 10%, Malbec 9%. A wine that really shines in 2019, our latest Yeringberg blend combines depth, structure and generosity, with the elegance and refinement that we expect in this wine. The nose offers aromas of cassis, violets, plum and bay leaf, interwoven with notes of roasted capsicum, cigar box, Christmas cake and mint — it’s deep, rich and almost exotic, while also cool, svelte and perfectly controlled. The palate has floral, plummy richness and – this year in particular – a wonderfully savoury, almost mineral structure that’s taut, fresh, lively and long. It has an authority that absolutely commands your attention. A wine that needs some air today, and certainly one to enjoy over the next 15-20 years. – Sandra de Pury
55/13/10/10/9% Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Malbec, all up 23 months in oak with 38% new French barriques. This was tasted less than a month after it was bottled and while it’s a very fine Yeringberg with its beauty on show, it’s reserved and needs time to adjust and settle. Everything is in sync. Lovely aromas of violets, autumn leaves, mulberries and more. The medium-bodied palate is layered with fine, textural tannins, dazzled with fresh acidity and exceptional length.
97 points. Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2022