Langtons Selections Tarrawarra Chardonnay, Tarrawarra Pinot Noir Tarrawarra is located at the eastern end of the Yarra Valley near Healesville. Established in 1983 by Marc and Eva Besen, this winery has emerged as one of the region’s important producers. The vineyards are located on grey/brown clay loams with relatively (and ideal) low fertility on northeast to northwest aspects in relatively sheltered and warm sites. There are 23 individual blocks mostly planted at around 2200 vines/hectare. The fruit is triaged and handled separately. The Chardonnay is batch vinified in the classic Burgundian manner with whole bunch pressing, barrel fermentation, battonage and maturation in French oak. The Pinot Noir, which is some of the earliest ripening in the Yarra Valley, is a blend of the finest blocks. The wine is open fermented in three tonne pot fermenters and matured in small French oak barriques comprising 25% new, the rest one and two year old. Tarrawarra is making some excellent wines and is an emerging producer of good Pinot Noir that exhibits a cherry/strawberry aroma and a fleshy, nicely concentrated palate. Clare Halloran is one of Australia’s most gifted wine makers. The wines are bloody good but Tarrawarra only has a moderate presence on the Australian secondary wine market. Tarrawarra produces a range of wines under the Tin Cows label, named after a herd of tin cow sculptures loitering under a stand of trees on the driveway up to the winery. It also produces a kosher wine under the Kidron label. The Art Gallery has one of the best regional collections in Australia. That alone is worth the visit. Andrew Caillard MW, Langtons