2010 PINOT NOIR

HUON HOOKE, GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE, 100 Top New Releases
April/May 2012

Smooth red-berry and meaty aromas are varietal and complex, while the taste is smooth and mellow from barrel-age. Stylish, well-harmonised wine of medium body and richness; smooth and supply. It has good intensity and a touch of poise.

HUON HOOKE, SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, Cellar Talk
Tuesday March 6, 2012

TOP AUSSIE RED: Smooth meaty and berry aromas, very pinoty and quite complex. In the mouth, it's savoury and mellow, with atttractive barrel-aged but not oaky flavours; intense, supply and medium-bodied. Good current drinking. Best within five years.

HUON HOOKE, huonhooke.com
January, 2012

Medium to full red/purple colour. Lovely smooth meaty and berry aromas, very pinoty and complex. Quite savoury and mellow, with good barrel-aged, but not oaky characters, very stylish and integrated. Sleek, rich, deep and supple. Medium-bodied, quite intense and shows real poise and harmony.

RICK ALLEN, HILLS SHIRE TIMES
November 8, 2011

If you prefer your pinots with some grunt, then this one from the Yarra Valley isn't your boy. It's finer and leaner - the sort you need to roll around in the mouth and give a chance. If you do, you'll find that the seductive florals and perfumes you want of pinot are there in abundance, opening up to soft, gentle cherry and earthy, spice flavours. Good drinking.

TONY LOVE, TOP 100 WINES, HERALD SUN, taste.com.au
November 8, 2011

RALPH KYTE-POWELL, EPICURE, THE AGE
18 October 2011

A relatively pale, gentle Yarra Valley wine, this "standard" Toolangi pinot noir has subtle floral, cherry and spice fragrances. The pleasant varietal personality tracks across the palate, agreeably soft, continuing through a long, perfumed aftertaste. Understated but a wine of outstanding balance. Drink over two years. Grilled chicken; roast salmon.

NICK STOCK, THE AGE, GOOD WINE GUIDE 2012

Estate fruit from the Toolangi Dixon's Creek vineyard has been transformed by two winemakers into a bright, floral red-cherry style of pinot, sappy and perfumed. It's a lithe and juicy palate here, really balanced and even, delivering crunchy, upbeat, early-drinking enjoyment.

TONY LOVE, TASTE, HERALD SUN
13 September 2011

A bright and breezy style of pinot that seems typical of the Yarra in wines so far seen from last year’s vintage. It’s more savoury than many at this price, with earthy and woody aromatics adding to a neat balance with its spicy flesh and understated fruit. Fresh and vibrant, it’s all nicely integrated and ready to go right now.
Rating: ****
4 out of 5 stars - A cut above
Value: Good
Food: Cheese boards

KERRY SKINNER, ZEST, ILLAWARRA MERCURY
24 August 2011

Meticulous work in the vineyard and Australia's best winemakers have been the keys to the success of Julie and Garry Hounsell's Toolangi label. That includes this quintessential Yarra Valley pinot crafted at Yering Station. Matured in a combination of new and used French oak, aromatic, textured and elegant, pristine cherry and plum fruit flavours, spice and earthy characters, poise and balance, silky tannins. Drink with filet mignon.

WINESTATE, PINOT NOIR TASTING
November/December 2011

Smells of dried herbs and black olives with gamey elements, and has an unusual slippery palate.