Country: Australia  Region: Victoria  Vintage: 2015

Category: White Wine  Color:  White

Producer: Innocent Bystander

"This winery changed hands in May 2016, with one family company, Brown Brothers, taking it off the hands of another, its founder, Phil Sexton. So associated is Innocent Bystander with the Yarra Valley that the new owners have made the intelligent decision to build a new winery in Healesville, just across the parking lot from Giant Steps. And they are quickly signing contracts with all the grape growers that Phil has used for Innocent Bystander so that the style of the wines remains unchanged.

That style - wines that are regional and varietal, reflecting the soil, climate and topography of the cool climate in the Yarra Valley – has been the base upon which the reputation of Innocent Bystander has been built. Their subtle 2014 Chardonnay has the attractive depth that barrel fermentation lends to the wine, yet is fresh and lifted – it offers a lot of wine for the price. The Syrah, peppery and spicy and nicely defined, is also a steal, while the Pinot Noir takes a lot of beating. The Pinot Gris is attractively combines the zestiness that comes from half the blend being fermented in stainless steel with the texture that is derived from the rest being fermented in old oak.
Their Moscato, made from old vine Gordo (Muscat of Alexandria) and Black Muscat grapes, is a delicious blend of natural sweetness and fizz with crisp acidity. It is available in halves, bottles and 20 litre kegs."

Winemaker: Steve Flamsteed

Vineyards:

In 2015, Innocent Bystander included two very special vineyards from the upper King Valley: Symphonia Vineyard at Myrrhee (altitude 350 metres) and Crouchers Vineyard at Whitlands (altitude 800 metres). Both these parcels add a spike of minerally citrus to the wine.

Vinification:

"The fruit was 100% hand picked and whole bunch pressed. 70% of the fruit went into stainless steel for a long, cold fermentation to preserve freshness in the wine. The remaining 30% of the fruit was fermented and matured in French oak (10% new) to give a luscious mouthfeel."

Tasting Notes:

"The nose is brimming with fresh cut pears, snow pea shoots, and notes of lemon thyme. The palate is marked with lime flowers and an intriguing touch of miso. It is fresh, crisp and bone-dry and finishes with a lemon sorbet twang."

Food Suggestion: Goats cheese salad with croutons and rocket. Fresh oysters. Beer battered whiting with tartare and big chips. Aged Brie.

Closure: Stelvin  ABV:13%