With 2012 widely regarded as an excellent vintage for the Yarra Valley, Coombe Farm is pleased to release its estate collection.
One of the largest and oldest family estates in the Yarra Valley, Coombe Farm was once home of Australia's famous soprano, Dame Nellie Melba and it is still owned by her descendents, the Vestey family.
Coombe Farm's 60 hectares of vineyard surround the Maroondah Highway at Coldstream is planted predominantly to the best clones of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are sold to many of Australia's top producers.
Over the past decade Coombe Farm has toyed with its own boutique wine range. However, with the arrival of winemaker Nicole Esdaile to oversee the winemaking and the management of the wine, viticultural and farm businesses in 2011, there has been a marked increase in wine quality and brand focus.
When Nicole accepted the position she said: '"It is a very exciting new challenge for me. Coombe Farm has enormous potential. We have a great viticultural site, we produce fantastic fruit, our vineyards are approaching full maturity and we have the resources to trial new clones and varieties. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do!"
After the 'trying' 2011 vintage, Nicole is proud to release the 2012 Coombe Farm wines as an indication of what is possible. 2012 was a near perfect vintage in the Yarra Valley and the wines are a wonderful reflection of the conditions. They show full flavour development, elegant acid structures and the great refinement for which the region is so famous. A special 'Barrel Selection' Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon will also be released later in the year.
2012 Coombe Farm Pinot Gris $22
Named a 'gris' rather than 'grigio' because it has flavour and texture rather than weight or sweetness. The wine has been picked at several stages of ripeness, left on yeast lees for approximately eight months and approximately 15% was fermented in old oak to enhance texture. Alcohol 12.5%,
2012 Coombe Farm Chardonnay $32
The Coombe Farm flagship – this is a 60/40 blend of Mendoza and P58 clones of Chardonnay. Hand harvested, whole bunch pressed, 100% barrel fermented in French oak barriques (approximately 20% new) with some solids and about 20% MLF. Alcohol 12.8%
2012 Coombe Farm Pinot Noir $32
60/20/10/10 clones MV6/115/114/777 showing the full spectrum of flavour, aroma and textural characteristics offered by each clone. Small batch open fermentation with gentle plunging; approximately 10% whole bunch; MLF & maturation on lees in French oak barriques (approximately 25% new) for 11 months. Alcohol 13.1%
2012 Coombe Farm Cabernet Merlot $32
85/15 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – a wine made only in the best years that allow the late ripening varieties to reach their full potential. Pre-ferment cold soak; extended post-ferment maceration, MLF and maturation in French and American oak barriques for 10 months and blending only just before bottling. Alcohol 12.8%
Distributed across Australia by Zenith Wine Agencies or available by calling Coombe Farm Cellar Door 03 9739 1131 or www.coombefarm.com.au