A welcome arrival at the platform on Yering Station, Little Yering is no mean featherweight, a generously proportioned Pinot Noir with the focus on varietal charm, richness of palate and a youthful appeal that makes it a good choice alongside today's cosmopolitan faire. Gentle handling and careful treatment has allowed the expression of quality Yarra Valley Pinot to shine through. Fine French oak has softened the tannins without overpowering the fruit, Little Yering is all about elegance and poise, making it a fine choice as accompaniement to all good food.
Pruning begins in earnest at Yering Station as the vineyard team take aim at providing optimal sunlight for the berries while limiting crop yields to produce a more intense wine. Parcels of Pinot Noir clones MV6 and 777 are selectively harvested and hand picked off mature vines up to fourteen years of age, planted to choice Yarra Valley sites. Fruit is sent to a mix of open and rotary fermenters and treated to a week or two of skin contact macerations before inoculation to cultured yeast type Lalvin BGY. Batches are fermented to dryness over the course of a week or two, followed by completion of malolactic and nine months maturation in a selection of seasoned and new 228 litres French oak barrels.
Bright, red cherry colour. Lifted perfume of violets and lavender, allspice intertwined with gamey, briary red and black cherry fruits. A soft and juicy palate exhibiting a lovely mix of elegant fruit, savoury spice and earthy undertones, a finely textural Pinot wine complimented by subtle vanillin oak and supported by supple tannins before a long and lingering, velvet lined finish. Match with rare duck breast, tuna escalopes or gruyere.
