North Sydney Cellars

 

Hillcrest is a producer we discovered for the first time in 2006. After one of our favourite independent wine writers - Gary Walsh from winorama.com.au - recommended we try some samples of the 2004 pinot noirs, the decision was quickly made that we just had to have these in the shop. I (Jules) was stunned by their quality; the ethereal, Burdundian fl avours, silky supple texture and structure that said “great aging capability”.

 

 

Hillcrest Vineyard is a micro-boutique maker of individual, classically styled wines. Its owners, David and Tanya Bryant, look to the best producers from the famous French regions of Burgundy and Bordeaux as both their inspiration and benchmark. David and Tanya make the wines, guided by Phillip Jones (of Bass Phillip fame), one of Australia’s most respected winemakers. Their tiny eight acre, 36 year old vineyard yields a miniscule 400 cases of wine each vintage. Meticulous attention to detail is paid to managing these vines, with no irrigation or use of herbicides and pesticides. In the winery, unhurried, classical techniques such as use of wild yeasts and no filtration or fining deliver wines of bell-ringing quality and personality.

 

The 2005 vintage wines have just been released, and though only tiny quantities are available, their quality is superior even to that of the 2004 vintage. Winemaker David Bryant says: “Let’s cut to the chase. These wines are the best examples of pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon that we have produced.”

 

 

Here is Winorama.com.au editor Gary Walsh's review of the Hillcrest Estate Pinot Noir 2005: