Who makes it?

Yabby Lake Pinot Noirs are just some of the red wine highlights of Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. Found to the South East of Melbourne, the region has a reputation for not just Pinot Noir, but Chardonnay and its high quality Pinot Gris as well. Of course you will find other varieties thriving there as well. There is also a Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Syrah that is well worth the $38.00 price tag. The estate’s Red Claw wines are also worth having a look at, although at this level the Red Claw Shiraz come from Heathcote.

The cellar door overlooking the vineyard at Yabby Lake is also a great place to stop and there is, of course, a restaurant or you can just taste. And of course there is a lake with yabbies! (Well, I assume there are yabbies there!)

How do they make it?

This Pinot comes from estate grown Mornington Peninsula fruit. It has been handpicked and sorted. As a rule of thumb, the Yabby Lake winemaking team add a portion of between 10- 20 % whole bunches to the ferment. The wines are then aged in French barrels with around a quarter being new. The rest of the barrels have been previously used for maturation in previous vintages. 

What does it taste like?

This single vineyard version of Yabby Lake Pinot Noir is a complex feast in a glass. It is full bodied and a rather spicy savoury morsel. The floral, cherry berry fruit is liberally supported by nutmeg spice, and off set with a mushroom edge. 

The ripe tannins give such an elegant shape to the wine. Along with a fresh acid line to hold it all together. The combination is silky, intense and has a richness that is very moreish. This is a keeper. I would expect that with that fresh fruit, this one will be still delicious even in 7+ years if it is under screw cap. In saying that, it is great now too.

What to drink it with?

Of course, there are traditional matches for Pinot Noir that would be very good here. Matches such as lamb dishes, beef stews, and duck. Pinot Noir does handle Asian spices quite well so you can have something like this wine with a spicy Asian dish. 

Cheese

A hard mature cheese such a gouda and Manchego will be good here. Truffle flavoured cheeses will be good too.

Quickie review « Pinot noir from the Mornington Peninsula is usually ripe and plush. This wine is certainly delivers generously. »

Country of Origin:  Mornington Peninsula, Australia
Tasting Date: May 2025
Price:  UK £45 | A$75 
Drink: now – 7+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Yabby Lake Pinot Noir wines, why not check out:
Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir
Elephant in the Room Palatial Pinot Noir

Visit yabbylake for more.