Who better to ask what’s trending in the vino world right now than knowledgeable wine buffs at restaurants, bars and wineries around Australia?
Welcome to our ‘Wine of the Week’ series, where we highlight particular wines on the radar of restaurants around the country.
Take a drive to the beautiful Yarra Valley to find wine and much more at Yileena Park on Steels Creek Road in Yarra Glen. This family-owned vineyard, winery and cellar door exudes elegance with a tasting room encased in wood panelling, a fireplace and antique chairs to relax in while sipping a range of wines, including Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot Rosé, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
There are also museum wines dating back to 2000 to sample alongside plates of French oak smoked produce to try onsite, or take home to savour later, like sauces, smoked cheese and meat.
Ever since he was seven-years-old, owner and winemaker, Bob Curtis wanted to be a farmer - which led to running a hobby cattle stud in conjunction with a real estate agency – until his passion led him and his wife Diane to plant a vineyard in the Yarra Valley in 1998 and opening a cellar door dedicated to aged red wines in 2005.
He recommends trying the 2005 Yileena Park Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – single vineyard estate grown and a museum release from the Yarra Valley.
Rich garnet red in colour with tinges of amber gold and chocolate; this bottle-aged wine has developed aromas of cedar, spice, bay leaf and cigar box. The palate is rich and smooth with flavours of blackcurrant, stewed dark plums and hints of liquorice that lead onto a finely structured palate with integrated tannins and depth.
