This release is mostly about introspection and determination. 2017 has been well documented for being such a kind season.
Our 2017 Hugh Cabernet is vivid in structure, clarity and refreshing fruit depth. I suspect this is one of the most balanced Cabernets we have bottled. Certainly I rush into this wine only to encounter the depth of history behind its youthful exterior and am excited about the equally powerful sense of time that beckons for this wine to tell its own story.
2017 Hugh Merlot. Three (3) remaining rows of Merlot on rootstock at our old Gruyere vineyard stand defiantly, giving us this minute snapshot of this remarkable hill that we lost to the POX in 2014. Such a gorgeous wine that is much more than you expect from Merlot. Fine grained, long and with a mighty time ahead of it. This is a wine for the purists out there.
2018 Healesville Syrah. Our home block of Syrah keeps shining the light just how delicious Syrah can be when freshness and perfume are part of the DNA. In a warmer year like 2018, we get fine supple high tone and spicy fruits cascading through the subtle chalky tannins.
2018 EB44 ‘Controversy’ Nebbiolo. Only somewhat controversial given we are releasing the 2018 prior to the 2017 and with the remarkably low alcohol, we consider this stunningly bright and red fruited example of Nebbiolo to be a little unusual and hard to resist. With a fine bed of Nebbiolo tannins acting as a spring board for both perfume and bright red fruits this adds to what is an interesting side conversation about where the Yarra is headed.