Awards and Accolades

93 Points - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
"There's an emphasis both on mouth-watering, juicy drinkability and grave, sturdy tannin. A laugh and a frown in the one sentence; it certainly maintains your focus on the wine. It's a goodun'. Dark cherries, sap, various spices and sweet-sour notes. Grainy flavour-infused length underlines the overall quality."

From the Winery

The vineyards, planted on soil types identified as being ideal for producing varietal Pinot Noir, contribute unique character and complexity to the final wine. Pinot Noir grapes are drawn from vineyards at varying elevations within the diverse Yarra Valley, from 80 metres to 400 metres above sea level. This handful of soils and aspects add further nuance to the set of flavours blended to make this wine.

A range of different Pinot Noir clones come together in this composition, each adding subtle elements of complexity. Vineyards were meticulously maintained during the growing season to achieve dappled light throughout the canopy, ensuring the development of tannins and pristine varietal flavours.

The 2014 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir was harvested when the grapes were displaying optimum flavour intensity and acid balance. Each parcel was assessed and a combination of maceration methods used to optimise aromatic and structural elements in the final wine, including whole bunch inclusion in the musts and cold prefermentation. Warm fermentation temperatures were managed in small open fermenters with daily plunging to extract colour, flavour and tannins from the fruit.

Eleven months lees contact and complete malolactic fermentation took place in fine French oak barrels. Following this, the wine was clarified, blended and bottled in December 2014.