Levantine Hill Estate – Perfection Found, Yarra Valley

Here is a bold and true statement: For the style of wine they produce, Levantine Hill Estate’s are the best we have found in Australia. Period. That style is, in a word, “French”. Think “sleek”, “sophisticated”, “balanced”, “nuanced”, “velvety”, “sexy”, “complex, but never overpowering” … I believe anyone could drink any wine at Levantine, no matter his or her preference, and feel like they had achieved wine nirvana. Sophistication, elegance, and craftmanship sing throughout these wines.
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How has Levantine achieved this? An unrelenting commitment to mastery and openness.
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MASTERY: 1) Levantine has two vineyards in the Yarra, close to one another on different facing slopes. Sceptics said one of these vineyards could never successfully grow grapes, owing to its steepness and density of rocks. But recognising the potential of the soil profile, Levantine spent a considerable sum of capital on diamond tipped drills to turn an inhospitable terrain into one that produces some of the most extraordinary wine grapes in the Yarra. 2) Levantine closely guards its unwavering commitment to only produce its most premium wines in the most perfect of years for grape growing. 3) This place is all about stacked heritage. They use Italian fermenters for Italian grapes, French fermenters for French grapes, etc. Talk about cutting no corners! 4) Paul Bridgeman is a winemaking god.
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OPENNESS: Levantine is unafraid to blend wines and varietals in some of their most heavenly wines. Whereas the majority of winemakers in Australia to this day insist on making straight Shiraz’s, straight Piont Noirs, etc (we do note the finally growing acceptance towards GSMs and variations thereof), Levantine is unabashed in mixing grapes in many of their wines to achieve perfect balance and texture. They do this with a skill and precision that speaks to the countless cumulative years of wine-making experience of the team here.
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We had the tremendous fortune to do a private tasting at Levantine Hill. Peter, who hosted our tasting was easily one of the best hosts we’ve ever had – humorous, informative, attentive, and warm. If he’s not assisting in the winemaking the day you visit, ask for him. We understand that the regular tastings can be a little less intimate on busy days.

There is a price to pay for perfection, but at Levantine Hill, you actually get it.
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Wines You MUST Try:

* Estate Melange Traditionnel Blanc – A combination of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Viognier, this strong-nosed wine is yum, yum, yummy. Well balanced, so flavourful, complex (whole bunch pressing), sophisticated, elegant (a little malolactic fermentation), in short, one of the best whites we have ever had and a perfect representation of what Levantine is all about. You will rarely hear us say things like this, but this wine is truly a bargain at $80.

* 2016 Coldstream Guard Rosé – A Pinot dominant Rosé with a little Syrah and Cab, whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented – here again is another example of what Levantine can miraculously coax out of grapes with the judicious use of multiple varietals. A nose of strawberry quickly turns into a whole lot of stone, peach, and some venison on the palate. Deep in taste but light in body, this is a very unique and incredibly sophisticated Rosé. Only $35.

* 2014 Estate Syrah – You can pick up how well structured and sophisticated this one is right on the nose. Again, a superbly balanced wine offering plenty of Raspberry on the palate. We believe this one is drinking peak right now. $80 Chop to it!