2025 Bloody Hill Villages Pinot Noir, Coldstream Yarra Valley

Bloody Hill Villages Pinot Noir from Coldstream in the Yarra Valley is a vibrant, fragrant and delightfully drinkable expression of Pinot shaped by the next generation of the Mayer family. Rivar Mayer continues the ethos his father Timo became famous for: minimal intervention, whole bunches used with instinct rather than formula, and the belief that great Pinot is defined by texture, purity and movement rather than blunt power. The fruit is drawn from cooler Coldstream vineyards, planted on grey loams, mudstone and gravelly volcanic pockets that naturally produce Pinot with lifted aromatics, fine tannins and bright acidity.

The vineyard parcels are farmed with sensitivity. Picking happens early to preserve tension and delicacy. Whole bunch inclusion is used thoughtfully to add fragrance, spice and a soft herbal snap without overwhelming the fruit. Fermentation is spontaneous, extraction is gentle, and maturation in older French oak allows the vineyard character to shine clearly. The style is joyous, perfumed and wonderfully expressive.

The aromatics leap from the glass. Wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry intermingle with rose petals, cranberry, orange zest and soft baking spice. Beneath the brightness sits a savoury edge of dried herbs, warm earth and faint tea leaf, all wrapped in a subtle mineral hum that reflects Coldstream’s soils. As the wine evolves in the glass, hints of pomegranate, sandalwood and sweet soil emerge with quiet grace.

On the palate, the wine feels energetic and supple. Red fruits flow over airy, fine grained tannins, guided by refreshing acidity that keeps everything lively. Flavours of cherry, redcurrant, plum skin and spice are joined by gentle earthiness and dried herb notes. There is an irresistible brightness here, a sense of momentum and personality that speaks of place and maker alike. The finish is long, pure and lightly savoury with lingering berries and floral lift. It will evolve nicely over the next three to five years.

This is hugely versatile at the table. Perfect with duck pancakes, roast chicken, chargrilled salmon, mushroom risotto, beetroot salads, soft cheeses, charcuterie, light pasta dishes or simply chilled slightly with nothing at all.