Description

This vineyard and winery was established in 1983 by Ian and June Marks. The winery makes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from old vines in a cool part of the Upper Yarra. Son Andrew and the talented Timo Mayer are in charge of wine making now but the quality is better then ever.

Pure, vibrant and enticing. There is plenty of stonefruit and citrus evident with oak and lees used to build layers of character and texture. Lovely acid punctuates a palate on what is an outstanding form of Chardonnay. Drink with seared salmon. Leave it for another 7 or so years to see some secondary flavours come through.

Chardonnay – The grape that you can plant anywhere, in any climate and do anything to and it will still taste like an OK wine. When people hit the sweet spot of site, climate, cropping and winemaking, Chardonnay becomes a magical wine that will age gracefully but charm you at any age. Chardonnays can range from cool climate lean and citrusy to warmer climate tropical and overt. Oak and lees can add flavouring as can malolactic fermentation.

Yarra Valley – A region that is just too big to generalise about. The difference between Upper and Lower Yarra can be the ability to ripen some grapes or not. Great wines are made in the Yarra but it is best to know the producers.