Winery Review – Jeir Creek Wines by Brent Lello
To say that Jeir Creek Wines is going through a metamorphosis would be an understatement. The relatively new proprietors have an ambitious vision and are hugely passionate about their plan for what can only be described as one of the destination wineries of the Yass Valley region. A fine dining restaurant with superb views, luxury boutique accommodation by the heart-shaped lake, an amphitheatre for concerts amongst the vines and a golf course are all part of the new grand plan.
They are at work in the vineyard too. While many existing vines still thrive, some have been levelled, paving the way for a tranche of new grape varieties, including Sangiovese, Fiano and Riesling. These are all super-smart cool climate varieties that do well in the Yass Valley region and are all food friendly to boot. Smart planning.
Last week, I spent some time with Anurag at the cellar door. After a warm welcome, Anurag showed me to the location where their new restaurant will be situated. The views are indeed superb, overlooking the valley towards the Brindabellas beyond. He then showed me around the winery. A modern masterpiece of stainless-steel vats and machines, French oak barrels stacked high and wide, and everything else in between. It would be right to say Anurag is proud as punch of his domain, and so he should be.
The focus of any winery should be the quality of its wines. While Anurag and the new team at Jeir Creek inherited a lot of older wine stock which are also available at the cellar door, some of their 2022 wines have just been released, with others due out in January 2023. The quality of their new offerings paints a pretty picture of the bright future ahead for Jeir Creek Wines. Here is what we tasted:
2022 Sauvignon Blanc – floral aromas with fresh gooseberries and freshly cut clover. The palate is delicate and dry with a minerally and invitingly savoury finish. Just the trick with freshly grilled south coast snapper with burnt butter, lemon zest and capers.
2022 Pinot Gris – aromas of freshly cut beurre bosc pear and orange blossom. It’s light but luscious in the mouth with crunchy pear and apple flavours, delicate acidity and a food-friendly finish. Teriyaki salmon with this.
2022 Moscato – fragrant aromas of ripe peach and citrus with floral rose petal high notes. Invitingly dry on the palate with fresh pink fruit flavours. Drink super chilled on a hot summer evening.
2013 Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay – aromas and flavours of freshly baked brioche bread and ripe grapefruit. It’s creamy in the mouth with a fine, delicate bead. Oysters Natural here.
2013 Botrytis Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – aromas of burnt honey and marmalade. Rich and luscious in the mouth with torched citrus flavours. Have this with vanilla panna cotta with caramelised oranges.
Muscat – aromas of boozy Christmas pudding, toasted nuts and dried raisins. It’s tongue coating, viscous and syrupy and yearns for a dark chocolate tart with clotted cream.
As the Jeir Creek Murrumbateman metamorphosis begins to take hold, pay them a visit soon. If you happen to be there during the Murrumbateman Moving Feast (1st and 2nd October), you can rip into their Goat Curry, surely to be a cult classic. So, while the Jeir Creek future plans are grand, their wines are presently prime, and their service with a smile will take you along that extra mile.
