Denton

Granite Guns Blazing: Single-site, Yarra Valley Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo
Denton

A new day is dawning at Denton. Owner Scott Bishop–who took over this unique Yarra Valley estate late last year–and his talented team have hit the ground running and, while in the thick of it with harvest 2025, have launched an elegant new look for their wines. The sleek, fresh labels match the renewed energy and vision now in place at the estate. The Denton wines have— quite literally—never looked better, with Kirilly Gordon settled at the winemaking helm in the cellar since 2022 and vineyard manager Julian Parrott utterly on top of things outdoors.

 

There’s no two ways about it: Denton vineyard is an excellent terroir. Shaped like a cone, it’s a granite-rich site with granitic sands above hulking granite boulders. This is key to the character and quality of the wines grown here. Recent innovation and investment in the vineyard have focused on enriching and reinvigorating soil health through organic practices, under-vine cultivation and a move towards eliminating herbicides. This progress is playing out in the glass. Gordon’s steady hand in the cellar has kicked Denton’s pristine raw materials up a gear, and the results are some of the most consistent and striking wines we have ever seen from this estate. The reviews below certainly back up these claims!

 

The 2023 season was cool and protracted, allowing for long hang times, optimal ripening conditions and maximum flavour development. The Chardonnay has sucked a delicious mineral profile from the granite soils, while delivering bold, ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours. The Pinot Noir is sourced wholly from the 21-year-old close-planted block high on the hill. With a well-pitched inclusion of bunches, it shows the power and class this site can achieve.

 

Finally, the pièce de resistance. 2021 was an outstanding growing season for Nebbiolo at the Denton site. Long hang times and moderate conditions—so critical to the ripening process for Nebbiolo—paved the way for excellent flavour and tannin development. This is the final Denton Nebbiolo made by ‘Nebbiolo whisperer’ Luke Lambert, who arguably makes the country’s best expression of the variety. His Lambert Nebbiolo (sourced from this same site) sells on allocation each year. A second dip is rare – run, don’t walk. 

 

The Wines (please contact us to order)

 

Denton Chardonnay 2023
24978-750   $42.00/bt or $37.80/bt as part of a case  

The Chardonnay hails predominantly from Block 6 on the northeastern slope, a spot that sees the softest morning light and is shielded from the harsh afternoon rays. The clone is Bernard 95, prized for its fine citrus profile and tight mineral line. This year, a small portion of close-planted Gingin vines from Block 4 (the same block as the close-planted Pinot Noir) was included. The fruit was picked by hand on March 10th and bunches were pressed directly to 500-litre puncheons for fermentation. A small portion of fruit fermented in a brand-new barrel. The wine matured on fine lees for 10 months with occasional stirring. This is Denton Chardonnay in flying form from a long, mild, even season. It’s flush with ripe, succulent fruit, blossoms and slate-like minerality with fleshy fullness cinched by refreshing acid drive. Wonderful. 

“Natural-yeast fermentation in both seasoned and new (45%) French puncheons, with the new wood component being transferred to an older barrel after three weeks. A bright green gold. Opulent and complex aromas of ripe stone fruits, ginger, oyster shells and scented white flowers. Concentrated and structured on the palate, finishing saline, nutty and very long. Another excellent Denton chardonnay.” 96 points, Philip Rich, The Wine Companion
  

 

Denton Pinot Noir 2023
24979-750   $42.00/bt or $37.80/bt as part of a case   

Fruit for this wine is sourced from the close-planted Pinot Noir block perched at the top of the northeast-facing slope. The deep-rooted MV6 vines are planted at 1.5 x 0.8 metres, producing Denton’s most powerful and concentrated Pinot Noir without losing the vineyard’s signature elegance. The exposure means the block sees soft morning light while enjoying shelter from the hot afternoon sun. The fruit was picked a touch later than the previous year, on March 15th, and fermented with 10% bunches. After 12 days with gentle pumpovers, the wine was pressed to French oak (33% new) for 10 months’ maturation. This ticks all the boxes for lovers of Yarra Pinot Noir; bright, fleshy and lifted with intense, red-fruit flavours, licks of mineral tension and spice, and a long, layered close.

“Made with 10% whole bunches and matured in French puncheons (33% new). A medium ruby garnet. A little reduction, which quickly blows off to reveal aromas of wild strawberries, damson plums, a little rose petal and subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. There’s good intensity on the medium-bodied palate together with fine but firm tannins. This will only get better over the next four to six years, if not longer.” 95 points, Philip Rich, The Wine Companion

 


Denton Nebbiolo 2021
24890-750   $55.00/bt or $49.50/bt as part of a case   

Nebbiolo is kinda Denton’s thing. Eight of their 80 acres are planted to six different clones of Nebbiolo, with plans for expansion in the works. The Nebbiolo block sits halfway up the northwestern slope on Block 2A, catching all available sunshine and ensuring a long, slow ripening period–essential to achieve full phenological ripeness in this variety. The fruit was destemmed, wild yeast fermented and held on skins for 12 days with frequent plunging and foot stomping. There was no temperature control. The wine was then pressed to 500-litre French oak puncheons (20% new) and left unsulphured for 18 months before bottling without fining or filtration. Lamberts prowess with Nebbiolo is on full display here. It’s bright yet deeply cast, with earth, spice and florals aligned to red-fruit lift and hints of Campari and savoury nuance. Bravissimo indeed.

“Various clones and two picks that were both fermented and left on skins. Pressed to 500L French oak puncheons (20% new) and left unsulfured for 18 months prior to bottling. A bright, medium garnet. Perfumed and poised on the nose with its bouquet of morello cherries, red plums, dried flowers, tobacco and orange zest. Even better on the medium-bodied and very persistent palate. Textured and long-finishing with very fine, polished tannins. Bravissimo!” 97 points, Philip Rich, The Wine Companion 

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