JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION WINNER – NEWCOMER WINERY OF THE YEAR 2014

James Halliday 5 Red Star Rating 2016

Chris Shanahan "It’s a really good example of bright, modern Australian chardonnay from veteran maker, Rob Dolan......The wine appeals because it offers the richness and nectarine-like flavour of chardonnay with body and barrel-derived complexities – but not oakiness or heaviness."

James Halliday "A delicate wine with stone fruit and honeydew melon the primary fruit characters, citrus less obvious; consistently with this, the oak is subtle."

Jeremy Pringle "Ample flavour, decent shape. Upfront and forward drinking that will please many......This is an affable and affordable Chardonnay, ......... Yellow nectarine flesh, white peach, woodspice and some toasty oak. Creamy but measured."

Rob Dolan has been a Yarra Valley winemaker for over 20 years and is recognised as one of the great characters of the wine industry. Rob has an outstanding winemaking record and has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Yarra Valley. His first experience in the Yarra Valley was as senior winemaker at Yarra Ridge winery, one of the success stories of the 90’s being the benchmark Pinot Noir of their time.

Rob went on to launch two more successful Yarra Valley brands – Sticks and Punt Road (“Sticks” being Rob’s nickname as a premiership ruck man with Port Adelaide Football Club but don’t hold that against him!).

Yarra Valley is a region with a cool climate, best known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Yarra Valley is an hour’s drive east of Melbourne.