Little Yering Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley 2024

As Antipodean Pinot Noirs go, this is easy-going, soft and approachable, led by red cherries and strawberries with a nicely silky, rounded feel. Bright, ripe fruit sits at the centre, with a touch of pomegranate and gentle savoury spice. Coming from the cool-climate Yarra Valley, the crisp acidity keeps it refreshing and light on its feet, with gentle tannins sitting in the background.

Best a shade cooler than room temperature, and good with roast chicken, duck or salmon, where the red-cherry fruit and gentle savoury edge slot neatly in.

Yering Station is the oldest vineyard in Victoria, first planted by the Scottish Ryrie brothers in 1838 — the name 'Yering' being the local First Nations word for the area. However, the modern era of viticulture in the Yarra Valley — a region just an hour's drive northeast of Melbourne — didn't begin until the latter half of the 20th century, with Yering Station itself being replanted in 1988. It's now considered one of Australia's best cool-climate areas, producing especially noteworthy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Rathbone family took on the estate in 1996 and have since built Yering Station into one of the Yarra Valley's leading producers.