Tasting Notes
In 2017 the visceral reaction to the sudden death of Ian was to produce a wine in his honour. This was a tiny batch of Pinot Noir drawn from a portion of the oldest Pinot vines on the property, and a third drawn from the newest MV6 young vines. This blend represented something of the snake eating its own tail – the Ouroboros or symbol for eternal cyclic renewal. In other words, recognition that Gembrook Hill had become a legacy vineyard for our family. The IJM, Ian James Marks, was made as a pure expression of site, matured in old French oak to allow terroir to shine through. A quintessential vigneron's wine, to reflect Ian's passion for the vineyard. - Winery Note
It was 1983 when Ian and June Marks found their vineyard site after a long search for the perfect pocket of land throughout almost every wine region in Victoria. With views of Mt Donna Buang, a backdrop of the Warburton ranges, red soil and a coveted north-easterly aspect, it is the perfect spot for cool climate winemaking. Gembrook Hill led the way as part of the 'second wave' of Yarra Valley vignerons, and today is one of the oldest vineyards in the Upper Yarra sub-region.
Gembrook's wines are regarded as some of the most outstanding examples of their variety in Australia and are crafted with an old-world winemaking mindset. Most vine age now over twenty years. Gembrook Hill was one of the pacesetters in the Yarra Valley with its restrained yet complex style of chardonnay. The sauvignon blanc possesses characteristics found in Sancerre, and is more austere than the typical Australian and New Zealand examples. And the pinot noir has the elegance of old world Burgundy. The most recent addition to the range, the vintage Blanc de Blancs, has been acclaimed as one of the finest of its type, French or otherwise.
- Winery Note
| Product Type | Wine Red Pinot Noir |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Victoria |
| Sub Region | Yarra Valley |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Minimal Intervention |