Langton’s Selections ^4Yarra Yarra The Yarra Yarra Cabernet Blend Planted in 1977 Yarra Yarra Vineyard lies on ‘delicate’-lean, free-draining, gravelly north-facing slopes at the northern end of the Yarra Valley. The 10 acre vineyard spreads across a series of undulations. Sarah’s Hill, Phoebe’s Hill and Charlotte’s Hill are named after three daughters. The fruit which is typified by “rich red berry characters, nutty flavoured pips and balanced natural acidities” derives largely from the mature low vigour low yielding Sarah’s Hill block. The wine is partially whole-bunch fermented and regularly hand plunged. After post maceration for 10-20 days, the wine is drained, pressed and racked into a combination of new and old Alliers oak barriques for a maturation period of around 24 months. Ian Mclean is able to recognize his Reserve parcels early by the “intense mulberry/red berry/truffly fruit characters, incredible concentration and great length”. The Yarra Yarra Cabernet blend comprises small proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wines have a strong Victorian following. Sadly the 2009 Bushfires destroyed some vineyard land and museum stock. This is a great tragedy because the wines have been reaching a new and exciting level of quality. It behoves us all to support this extraordinary small wine maker. Andrew Caillard, MW