Winery Review by Brent Lello
Walking into the cellar door at Eden Road Wines, you get an immediate sense of anticipation for the wine experience that is about to unfold. Met by the cellar door Manager and charismatic Columbian – “G”, waving arms, broad smiles and excited banter set the tone for what is one of the best cellar door experiences in the Yass Valley region. To suggest that “G” is passionate about his work would be an understatement. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who enjoys their job more. And the enthusiasm becomes quickly infectious.
“G” talks of the winemaking principles and philosophy fine-tuned by Eden Road’s head winemaker, Celine Rousseau. We are left with no doubt about Celine’s absolute meticulous approach and maniacal focus on quality. The stable of Eden Road wines on offer is a first-class line-up from start to finish. Traditional techniques are employed with a view to producing wines that deliver a true sense of time, place and purpose.
The way the team creates different offerings with the same grapes from the same vineyard blocks and applies different winemaking techniques is both smart and savvy. This works for both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines on offer. One of each is a truly cheerful expression of the variety and more approachable on the wallet. The other is sublimely elegant, finely structured, and a next-level tasting experience.
“G” leads us through an entertaining and informative tasting of the entire range. One hour turns into two seamlessly. He takes us through the ins and outs of vintage variation, the different vineyard locations, altitudes and terroir of their micro-climates, and their positive effects on the wine in each glass. This is what we tried:
2021 Canberra Riesling – aromas of lemon zest and orange blossom. Silky and textural in the mouth with ripe, juicy citrus flavours leading to a fragrantly floral finish.
2021 The Long Road Pinot Gris – smoked salmon pink. Fresh strawberry and watermelon aromas. Ripe rosy-red apple, pear and apricot kernel flavours. Luscious drinking.
2021 The Long Road Chardonnay – aromas of ripe peaches and nectarines with peach kernel. The flavours are of stone fruit and ripe red apple, with a delightful lift of acid.
2021 Tumbarumba Chardonnay – elegance in a glass. Aromas of grilled white peach on toasted, buttered brioche. It’s seductively poised in the mouth with clean, refined white peach flavours with a lovely lick of vanilla. Perfect match for roast chicken with honey mustard cream sauce.
2021 The Long Road Pinot Noir – bright red cherry and spice aromas. Bright red fruit flavours. Peking duck pancakes with this.
2021 Tumbarumba Pinot Noir – dark cherry and vanilla compote aromas. Seductively silky on the palate with flavours of ripe cherries and dark plums with smooth tannins. Mushroom tortellini with shaved truffles for me.
2019 Canberra Syrah – aromas of ripe red cherry, dark plum and blackberry. Cheerful energy on the palate with bright red flavours and a shake of cool climate spice. Pair with char-grilled lamb cutlets.
2018 Cullarin Block 71 Syrah – blackberry and black cherry aromas with cracked white peppercorns, star anise and crushed cloves. Elegant on the palate with dark berry fruit flavours, a lick of spice and the structure for the long term. Just right for slow-cooked beef cheeks in tomato, red wine and pepper-infused sauce.
2019 Gundagai Sangiovese – aromas of black cherry and ripe plum with cool climate spice. Sweet, juicy plum fruit flavours, with a silky-smooth palate and a food-friendly savoury finish. Team with spicy pepperoni pizza.
2021 Syrah Rose – delightful aromas of raspberry and red cherry, with bright red berry fruit flavours. Enjoy chilled on a relaxing sunny, Sunday afternoon.
The cellar door space is befitting of the quality wine offerings too. It’s open, spacious, bright and welcoming. The Cheese Plate experience is well worth the effort too. This is no small wedge of cheese with a cracker or two. It’s three carefully selected cheeses from around the globe and can be paired with just the right drop to elevate both the cheese and the wine.
If you want to be entertained and informed, visit Eden Road. If you want to try world-class wines in a superb setting, visit Eden Road. If you want to show off some of the best the region has to offer, visit Eden Road. Just allow yourself a little extra time when you do.
Eden Road Wines
3182 Barton Highway
Murrumbateman
Phone: 0466 226 808
Email: enquiries@edenroadwines.com.au
https://edenroadwines.com.au
