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NOTES
Hoddles Creek was established in 1997 when the D'Anna family decided to establish a vineyard on the property that has been in the family since 1960. The vineyard sits astride Gembrook road and adjacent to Hoddles Creek. Its steeply sloping blocks prohibit mechanical harvesting, with both vineyards being hand pruned and harvested. All the wines, which are single vineyard estate grown, are made in a 300 tonne winery, constructed for the 2003 vintage. The split-level winery has a barrel store located three meters underground.
Winemaking practices tend to be minimal. All the wines are transferred using gravity and there is generally no added acid addition. Consequently, the wines are balanced and fresh. All grapes are only destemmed, not crushed. This allows full berries to be transferred to either tank or press. No enzymes are used in any of the wines; the grape juice is allowed to settle naturally over four days at very low temperatures.
All wines see a percentage of oak. Some wines will not see any new oak, namely Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc but have a large portion of older oak. This provides mouthfeel, texture and generally builds the wines. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir normally see about 30% new oak. Fruit from Hoddles Creek is always fresh and bright and can withstand a larger portion of new oak.
TASTING NOTES
Grapes for this wine are selected from the Hoddles Creek estate grown vineyard, which is in the Upper Yarra. The Upper Yarra is higher and cooler than Lower Yarra (Yarra Glen, Coldstream, Dixons Creek) and consequently retains more acid and flavours during the growing season. This region, has become famous for intensely-flavored Pinot Noir grapes that produce wines with vibrant fruit character. The rows are orientated East-West to maximize sunlight, and planted on a steep hill. The pinot noir is trellised to Scott-Henry for greater exposure and less disease pressure. The site is planted to more than 5 clones of Pinot Noir for flavor complexity in the wine. The clones are MV6, 114, 115, GSV15 and MS1. We have chosen these clones for small, flavor-intense berries, looser clusters and color intensity.
A vibrant bright red in the glass, the nose is complex, fragrant, and earthy with raspberry, cherry and spice coming to the fore. The bouquet is further enhanced with fresh cranberry and spicy cinnamon oak. On the palate the flavours are fresh and vibrant with bright red fruit and a slightly herbal sappy flavours backed with fine spicy oak, delicious, approachable and lingering
OTHER REVIEWS
Clear crimson red. Aromas of red cherry and red fruits, aniseed, flowers, spice, hints of sap and some creamy French oak. It’s clean and fragrant with wonderful purity of fruit. On the palate medium bodied with cherry and red fruits, spice and a little sappiness. Fine grained tannins offer grip and structure and clean fresh acidity cleanses the palate. This is crisp and delicate, light on its feet, but not without power. A bantam weight in a world of sluggers. You’d be hard pressed finding a better pinot under $40 let alone under $20. Back up the truck (again) for another great vintage of Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir. 94 Points, Gary Walsh, Winorama
"An intriguing nose, like playing pin the tail on the donkey, a fascinating compote of red fruits: red cherries, fleshy tomatoes, fresh beetroot, intertwined with spice and hints of ginger, creamy and sexy. The palate is delicate, sweet red fruits but not gushy, Great length; a wine that improves with food. Outstanding value; if you are a Pinot lover you need a case of it!"-Winorama.com.au
"Nothing is out of place here, from the gloriously vibrant colour to the sweet and savoury,deeply flavoured raspberry and red cherry fruit flavours which build beautifully in the mouth and finish with grace and aplomb. Buy this wine with confidence and know that you are getting fantastic value for money!" theWiningpro.com,
"Crunchy red berry fruits, cedary oak, if you like Pinot Noir then a case of this is a no brainer!" Decanted.com.au
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