2024 Yarra Yering Waterloo Pinot Noir

Yarra Yering’s Waterloo Block was planted in 2016 as a study in site potential, specifically focusing on the MV6 clone. While the estate's flagship Pinot Noir is a blend of several clones, the Waterloo is a singular expression of the most famous Pinot clone in the Yarra Valley, grown on an east-west orientation designed for better drainage and canopy control.

The 2024 was handled with the typical Yarra Yering precision: hand-picked fruit, gentle destemming, and twice-daily hand plunging to keep the tannins refined. It spent 10 months in the cool underground cellar in French oak, with just enough new wood (20%) to provide structure without masking the fruit.

It's a highly perfumed, elegant Pinot. It leads with lifted violet and rose petal aromatics, alongside cherry and a distinct pomegranate crunch. The palate is fleshy and silky, with the fruit restrained by subtle spice and a touch of char. While it’s incredibly approachable in its youth, there is enough substance here to see it evolve beautifully over the next few years.

96 points
"An excellent and keenly priced new addition to the range."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points
"This is excellent. These 2024 releases are some of winemaker Sarah Crowe’s best work yet, I’d argue."
- Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)