Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2018

Some wineries shout their pedigree. Yarra Yering doesn’t need to. Its reputation has been earned slowly, season by season, vine by vine, in the heart of Victoria’s Yarra Valley. The 2018 Pinot Noir is a wine that reflects that patience measured, thoughtful, and deeply expressive without ever feeling theatrical.

Origins

Yarra Yering sits on gently undulating land in the Yarra Valley, a region defined by cool nights, moderate days, and long growing seasons. Pinot Noir thrives here not because it is pushed to ripeness, but because it is allowed to arrive there naturally. The vines that feed into the 2018 wine are mature, well established, and deeply rooted, producing fruit with natural balance rather than sheer intensity.

The 2018 growing season was widely regarded as near ideal. Consistent weather allowed even ripening, preserving acidity while developing flavor complexity, exactly what Pinot Noir demands and rewards.

Winemaking

The winemaking approach behind this Pinot Noir is quietly traditional. Fruit is harvested by hand and treated gently from the outset, with an emphasis on preserving aromatics and texture rather than extraction. Fermentation takes place in small open vessels, encouraging close observation and careful control. A portion of whole bunches is often used, lending subtle spice, lift, and structural finesse rather than overt herbal character.

Oak is present but never dominant. French barrels used sparingly and thoughtfully provide shape and seasoning rather than flavor. The wine is matured just long enough to knit together its components before bottling, emerging polished but still vibrant.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, the wine shows a luminous ruby color, delicate yet confident. Aromatically, it leans toward elegance: red cherry, wild strawberry, rose petal, and subtle forest floor, with hints of spice and crushed stone adding depth.

On the palate, the 2018 Pinot Noir is silky, precise, and quietly persistent. Red fruit leads, but it’s the texture that stands out fine tannins, gentle grip, and a line of fresh acidity that keeps everything lifted and alive. Savory notes of dried herbs and earth appear mid-palate, giving the wine dimension without weight. The finish is long, clean, and understated, lingering more in memory than volume.

Accolades & Reputation

While the 2018 Pinot Noir has been widely praised and awarded, its true success lies in how consistently it resonates with serious Pinot lovers. It’s a wine that critics admire, but more importantly, one that experienced drinkers return to because it rewards attention rather than demands it.