2024 Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

From 28 rows of pinot planted on a block that is west facing and sloping to the south. 15% whole bunches. A light, bright cherry red. Fragrant with brambly fruits, blood orange, rose petals and a little spice. It's fragrant in the mouth, too, with fine-grained and gently chewy tannins giving the wine its shape and structure. A discreet and classy wine that should age effortlessly over the next few years. Drink by 2035.

97 points Special Value Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion

There’s presence to the palate here and yet in flavour profile terms it feels and tastes very Upper Yarra. It’s alive with twig, spice and herb notes but then it’s also riven with pure, satiny, red and black cherry flavours, and it also has that undergrowth-forest-wood aspect that is both beguiling and so characteristic of good pinot. Cedarwood oak plays noticeable role too, as a positive, and the tannin is a masterclass; not too much, not too little, threaded intricately, gently smoky. As a young wine this release is already putting on a show but, even so, it feels built to last, and to improve. However you take it, this is a truly beautiful wine. Drink 2026-2034+

95+ points Campbell Mattinson  for The Wine Front

Perfumed and delicate with reductive-edged aromas of red cherries, pomegranate, blood oranges, lead pencils, Negronis, dried strawberries and wet earth. The palate is mid-weighted with firmly framed, refined tannins and bright acidity, showing a mineral edge and vibrant red fruits that lead into a grippy, seamless finish. This has all the hallmarks of a pinot that will age well. Includes 15% whole cluster, adding a lovely floral and spice edge. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

96 points James Suckling

The D'Anna family have transformed Hoddles Creek Estate into one of the Yarra Valley's great value success stories, producing wines that consistently outperform their price tags. Franco D'Anna and son Simon have built a reputation for meticulous vineyard work and a hands off approach in the winery, allowing the character of the fruit and site to shine through.

The 1er range represents a step up in intensity and complexity, drawing on some of the estate's finest parcels in the cool Upper Yarra. The combination of elevation, ancient soils and long growing seasons gives Pinot Noir here its trademark perfume, freshness and fine tannin structure.

The colour is a bright ruby red with youthful crimson highlights. Aromas of cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry leap from the glass alongside rose petals, cinnamon and hints of forest floor. The palate is silky and beautifully balanced, layering vibrant red fruits with subtle spice and savoury complexity. Fine tannins and bright acidity carry the wine through a long, elegant finish that captures the charm of cool climate Yarra Valley Pinot Noir.

A wonderful partner for duck rillettes, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon or roast chicken with thyme and garlic. Drinking beautifully now and over the next five to eight years as additional earthy and savoury notes emerge.