2016 Yarra vintage

Peter NZ · Post by **Peter NZ** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:46 am

My first time posting in quite a while, though I still lurk occasionally.

I've got into the practice of buying wines on release from two Victoria wineries which export direct to NZ, Giaconda & Yarra Yering. On looking at the YY site I see they've got various back vintages at same / similar prices to the 2016 new releases, & am interested in any views on the merits of the 2016 vs 2015, in particular, & 2012 & 2009 Yarra vintages.

Thanks
Peter

swirler · Post by **swirler** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 1:50 pm

I'm no expert, but I think Yarra was warm in 2016 and very warm in 2009, whilst 2015 was a really good vintage, especially for cabernet.

I'd say if you like a more powerful style, go for 2009, otherwise choose 2015.

Halliday lives in yv, so his vintage reports would be a great resource.

As noted on this board recently, yy make great wines, but some of their back vintages at the cellar door aren't always up to scratch. Maybe the problem is confined to the 2011 vintage. Maybe they leave bottles open unrefrigerated too long. I don't know.

There are plenty here who know more than me. I'm sure they will give you more advice.

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 6:04 pm

From memory 2009 was the Black Saturday bushfire year, with the firefront going through the Punch vineyard, less severely through Sticks and on the doorstep of either Yarra Yering or Yering Station... not what I would automatically think of as a benchmark vintage.

I have heard good things about 2015 & 2016 (especially 2015 for cabernet/blends), but if what I tried in 2017 is any guide that will be one to really look out for.

swirler · Post by **swirler** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 6:59 pm

2015 for cabernet. 2017 for Chardonnay and pinot.

Enforcer, you are right in saying you need to be careful when choosing 2009 YV.

grapeobserver · Post by **grapeobserver** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 7:11 am

n4sir wrote:From memory 2009 was the Black Saturday bushfire year, with the firefront going through the Punch vineyard, less severely through Sticks and on the doorstep of either Yarra Yering or Yering Station... not what I would automatically think of as a benchmark vintage..

That too is my recollection. I would be cautious with 09 YV reds. That summer had some extreme heat and bushfires. Smoke taint was a problem for some vineyards in the Yarra Valley and others will know better, but I don't think it goes away in bottle. I recall for example Yeringberg honourably declassified their 09 cabernet & sold it off at cellar door for something like ~$15 if collectors wanted it for continuity

Polymer · Post by **Polymer** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 8:21 am

swirler wrote: As noted on this board recently, yy make great wines, but some of their back vintages at the cellar door aren't always up to scratch. Maybe the problem is confined to the 2011 vintage. .

Their 2011 is the problem....In general I think their normal wines are very good with their Carrodus being extremely overpriced...

2011 was a joke for them...It was so insulting what they tried to palm off on to consumers that I haven't wanted to take another look at their wines...

What they needed to do was declassify their Carrodus and make a proper normal wine..or declassify everything and make some other line of wine..

I understand the need to make money..but this is part of making wine, you sometimes have terrible vintages...what you shouldn't do is try to convince your customers to buy something you know is not up to scratch...

tuxy85 · Post by **tuxy85** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 12:47 pm

Mount Mary de-classified the Quintet due to the bushfires in 2009 (smoke taint) .... I saw them on sale for $40 per bottle a few months ago under the label "Reflexion." This could be a consideration with that vintage for some of the other wineries.

via collins · Post by **via collins** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:28 pm

On the 2011 point, while taking not a jot away from Polymer's passionate points on YY, the Hoddles Creek 2011 1er is a cracking wine - really, really good.

There are certainly areas that escaped the difficulties of 2011 mildews. Makes buying even harder i guess

BHCC1 · Post by **BHCC1** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:52 pm

Some views on the Yarra vintages mentioned above:
2009 - fires and smoke affected everyone - wouldn’t touch with a barge pole
2011 - cold and wet with mildew issues in all Vineyards. Notwithstanding, those that were selective made some very good wines, principally from the early ripening varieties.
2012 - Cooler vintage but wines have excellent varietal definition and should age beautifully. Somewhat overlooked but well worth considering for classic Yarra wines
2015 - Ideal weather conditions produced perfectly ripened and disease free grapes. Some great wines made and should go down as one of the great Yarra vintages.
2016 - Hot, hot, hot. Later varieties look to be pretty good. Would look carefully at early ripening varieties and consider on a case by case basis. Part of the problem was that everything seemed to ripen at once and limited fermentation space resulted in some grapes being left on the vine for longer than optimum.

Teisto · Post by **Teisto** » Tue May 01, 2018 3:05 pm

Good old Yarra Yering have upped the #1 20% overnight from 100 a bottle yesterday to 120 today. Medallion members take 10% off

Looks like the others are up 5% plus.

Wanting to be the Victorian equivalent of Penfolds or Henschke maybe?

Bobthebuilder · Post by **Bobthebuilder** » Tue May 01, 2018 8:41 pm

its like collusive tendering, without having to tender!

pc79 · Post by **pc79** » Tue May 01, 2018 8:59 pm

2017 is the vintage for me. Balance, persistence, incredible structure across most wines, particularly Pinot that I tried on a trip down there in January.

2015 was the best vintage for Cabernet in a long time imho. All were brilliant.

***which is what swirler said above***

Franco · Post by **Franco** » Wed May 02, 2018 6:59 pm

Hi Guys,

I think it’s wrong to assume that certain vintages are a disaster for all wineries.

In 2011, we made the best whites we have ever made and will live for 20 years. To say that all vineyards had mildew is not really a correct statement.

2016 was tough, but certain blocks did really well. We have released some single block wines that have been well reviewed.

Sometimes in challenging vintages, exceptional wines are made.

Cheers
Franco

Polymer · Post by **Polymer** » Wed May 02, 2018 8:18 pm

I don't think 2011 was a disaster for all wineries...

Specifically I'm commenting on YY and their 2011 vintage...

Lots of places made some great 2011s..mainly because they couldn't pick as ripe....and there are always gems each vintage.

BHCC1 · Post by **BHCC1** » Wed May 02, 2018 9:58 pm

Thanks Franco
Agree that very good wines can come from challenging vintages and indeed had yours and a few others in mind when referring to 2011 (above). I guess the substantive point is that 2011 and 2016 were vintages where wine buyers need to be careful - these were very difficult growing seasons and many wines were not of the highest standard.

swirler · Post by **swirler** » Thu May 03, 2018 1:52 pm

Franco wrote:Hi Guys,

I think it’s wrong to assume that certain vintages are a disaster for all wineries.

In 2011, we made the best whites we have ever made and will live for 20 years. To say that all vineyards had mildew is not really a correct statement.

2016 was tough, but certain blocks did really well. We have released some single block wines that have been well reviewed.

Sometimes in challenging vintages, exceptional wines are made.

Cheers
Franco

What are your thoughts on 2009, Franco?

Franco · Post by **Franco** » Thu May 03, 2018 6:53 pm

Good whites, pass on the reds. Realistically, there wouldn’t be too many that would have released a red in 2009. It was a funny stage, as the wine industry as a whole was really learning about the impact of smoke taint. I think down the track with our knowledge we might have done it differently. At Hoddles, we only commercially release whites which looked good.

Cheers
F

via collins · Post by **via collins** » Fri May 04, 2018 9:42 am

The 2009 Hoddles Creek chardonnays were exceptionally good - possibly my favourite next to 2005.

Underscoring Franco's point 100%.

Marius 2011s similarly bely everything you'll see or read about SA vintage. They are stunningly good.

Micro-climates can never be ruled out.

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