It seems like we're shouting from the rooftops about a lot this year, but the releases of special and delicious things just keep coming, and it is our duty to share!!
This week, we're reaching out to all Yarra Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir enthusiasts to share that one of the best-kept secrets is about to arrive with its new vintage — featuring allocations as limited as the price point — Hoddles Creek Estate.
Campbell Mattinson, Editor-in-Chief of the Halliday Wine Companion, sums it up nicely when he questions how this winery continues to make such exceptional booze year in, year out.
"There were times in the early days of Hoddles Creek Estate when I wondered if this wonderful producer was too good to be true. The quality in the glass, and the value routinely on offer, was so extraordinary that it seemed unlikely to be sustainable. And yet, over twenty years later, every year they’ve kept it up and built on it. Hoddles Creek Estate offers value for certain, but it’s a high quality producer full stop."
May we introduce the 2023 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Hoddles Creek Estate in the Yarra Valley, two cracking wines that we just can't say no to.
“'Spring frosts and terrible flowering resulted in the lowest yield on record. Will be long-lived' says Franco D’Anna. Gee, this is an intense iteration of HCE Chardonnay! Very concentrated. Melon, lime, spice and aniseed, almond too. The texture is very flinty and firm, the acidity is mouth-watering and offers plenty of zip, and there’s some nutty umami flavours in the mix too. Length is excellent. Preserved lemon and green olive in the aftertaste. It’s perhaps a little less ‘user-friendly’ as a young wine than is usual, but wow, it’s quite something." 94+ Points
"Another year of small yields from a cool season, with a dry finish from January to harvest. Look, it’s 13.2% alcohol, well that really took me by surprise! Lovely amount of perfume this year, in with red cherry and other red fruits, some cinnamon, almond, vanilla, and assorted spice from oak, subtle earthiness with a little dried herb too. It’s medium-bodied, kind of light, but gee, there’s no shortage of depth and concentration either. It has bright acidity, fine tannin grip, and a lively finish of excellent length. It took me one smell, and one sip, to know that I really like this vintage. A little more fine-boned. Classic styling, if you will." 93+ Points
