Soumah sounds like an interesting place so it is a bit of a disappointment to find the name comes from South of the Maroondah Highway. The good news, however, is that this Yarra Valley producer is building a formidable reputation for quality wines at very fair prices. This is a bright young chardonnay that is fresh and vibrant but also with some textural elements from older oak. Wild yeast fermentation and battonage have added palate interest but it is citrus and stone fruit elements that are very much to the for along with minerally acidity. This would be fabulous with fish and chips. $28.
www.soumah.com.au.
At a time when wineries with far lesser reputations are charging $60 and upwards for their pinots noir, it is a real pleasure to find a wine like this one from one of the Yarra's finest winemakers, David Bicknell. Its is an individual vineyard wine from the Hazeldene vineyard, which is in Gladysdale and has red volcanic soil. This underwent whole bunch/berry fermentation in open vessels for three weeks before spending a year in French oak. The end result; a disarmingly quaffable cool-climate pinot noir with sweet varietal fruit and assertive tannins that is darn fine value for $44. www.oakridgewines.com.au.
