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

Brick yellow in colour with lovely golden tinges. The wine leads into a heavenly scent of aromas of butter, and honeycomb. The palate displays lovely nuances of licorice and white chocolate, reflecting oak treatment. It's a hot wine, on the tongue there's more honey again, creamy rice pudding, vanilla ice cream, and waffles.

OTHER REVIEWS

It’s gentle and refined with lemon oil, oatmeal, white nectarine, a touch of matchstick and very subtle spiced oak. On the palate tight and fine with a dry flinty texture, clean pure acidity and great finesse and line through the mouth. It offers flavours of grapefruit, pear and melon with just a touch of spice and more complex savoury characters - all harmonious with nothing over played or over done. Finishes very long and dry with a flinty grip and a citrus aftertaste. Ignore the price and revel in the absurd luxury of drinking such fine wine for under twenty dollars a bottle. 95 Points, Gary Walsh, Winorama May 2008

I'm not quite sure how they have managed this but this is another stunner. It is chardonnay perfection in a glass. It has an easy sense of delicacy and a sophistication too, though perhaps the most striking thing about it is its satiny texture. It tastes of nectarines, flint, grapefruit, cream and pears, and despite its elegance it comes across as highly seductive. This is will very well both young and in the medium term. Drink: 2008-2012. 95 points. Campbell Mattinson, Winefront.com.au

Really fine cool-climate Chardonnays are among Australia's best wines, and they are getting all the time. A few fashionistas might despise Chardonnay, why listen to them anyway? Hoddles Creek's '07, from the Yarra Valley, is outstanding value. The nose shows very subtle and complex yeast lees, rock candy, nectarine and chalky aromas. Oak is a restrained seasoning. The palate shows fine silky texture and deliciously understated flavour that grows in the mouth and lasts long, savoury and soft. This wine could command twice the price tag. Be quick, bargains like this don't stay on the shelves for long. 5 stars & Wine of the Week, Ralph Kyte-Powell, Epicure The Age

"Terrifically complex nose of nuts, oatmeal and attractive hints of yeast and sulphur/ matchstick characters. Quite funky. Smells and tastes like a $30+ wine, buy some in a hurry!" theWiningpro.com,

"Complex as all hell. It’s really hard to keep your lips away from it. Blooms and blossoms, just about everything else you’d desire in a chardonnay – though you’d usually expect to pay a lot more for it. Outstanding value!" -Winefront.com.au