2010 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionóóóóó Winery Rating
VINEYARD
Not so long ago, the South Gippsland region along Australia’s south-east coast represented brave new territory for Pinot Noir grape growers. It is now acknowledged as one of the country’s leading Pinot Noir-producing regions.
“You get a combination of warm days and cool evenings because of the south-westerly flow off the Southern Ocean, which is beneficial to the ripening process,” says John Ellis, principal winemaker and viticulturalist.
- Cool, maritime climate
- Annual rainfall 800mm – 900mm
- No irrigation necessary
- Excellent drainage – north-facing hillside position, large natural terraces, basaltic red clay loam soil of ancient volcanic origin
- High density planting at 7150 plants to the hectare
- Rated at 5 stars in James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion
Bellvale Wine’s flavour profiles present the full expression of a vineyard tended the artisan way. Its Pinot Noir is elegant and well-structured, featuring a powerful palate of rich, ripe black fruits, with a fine oak influence. Its cool-climate chardonnay is crisper, due to higher acidity, and tightly structured, with a well defined balance between fruit, secondary characters and integrated oak. “Our vines have extensive and very deep root systems, which allow the fruit to more effectively express the terroir. I agree with the French that great wine is made in the vineyard,” says John.
Bellvale’s Pinot Noir is produced from a single vineyard and dry grown. The high density planting and very low yields combine to produce wines of finesse and elegance with restrained, silky tannins and powerful expressions of flavour.
