Product Description
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Rouleur, Arlo’s, Pinot Noir, Upper Yarra, 2024, Yarra Valley, Australia
Producer Profile
Matt East grew up in the Yarra Valley and worked alongside his father in the family vineyard from a young age. He dedicated 10 years to grape growing with a focus on Pinot Noir and made wine in the shed growing up. He further honed his skills in local wineries during vintage and eventually left the Yarra Valley to study, travel and pursue a career in the broader wine industry.
As a keen cyclist all his life, Matt’s love affair with the bike matches his passion for making wine from exceptional sites across the Yarra Valley and elevated, alpine climbs of the Whitlands High Plateau. Rouleur (noun – Roller) was inspired by vineyards Matt discovered while riding – chance meetings with growers and local people that helped turn dreams into reality.
All Rouleur fruit is handpicked and sorted. White grapes are largely pressed as whole bunches, to new and old larger format oak. Variety dependent, Matt opts for subtle use of skin contact during fermentation, particularly with his Pinot Gris, a standout wine in the range. The Rouleur reds are mostly fermented with whole berries intact, while whole bunches are used in varying degrees when site, vintage and style dictate accordingly.
Viticulture
The Rouleur philosophy is pretty simple. They source exceptional parcels of fruit from quality vineyards and growers to make wine that they, and hopefully you, like to drink. They tend to pick on the earlier side, seeking bright acid, freshness and lift without sacrificing flavour. Their aim is to capture terroir by not messing with the natural order too much, keeping winemaker inputs and additions to a minimum. Rouleur wines are handmade in small batches to deliver their take on the varieties and vineyards they work with. A delicious and personal perspective on each vintage year.
Handpicked fruit from our most elevated and latest ripening Yarra Valley vineyard, situated near the township of Macclesfield on the very edge of the Yarra Valley GI.
Winemaking
At the winery we hand sorted one third whole bunches, directly to a small open fermenter, the remaining two thirds were destemmed directly on top in the same tank. After a short cold soak, followed by a long pump over, the ferment started naturally. After 14 days on skins, we drained, stomped, and after 2 more days pressed, running juice to tank, to complete primary fermentation.
Once in barrel, the wine underwent MLF and remained on gross lees until spring, at which time it was racked and returned to barrel, ensuring a brighter style. After settling and light filtration, Arlos was bottled in December 2024.
Tasting Note
Pale ruby in colour, Arlo’s wine is an elegant, but concentrated expression of Upper Yarra Valley Pinot Noir. Displaying lovely aromas of wild red fruits, tilled earth backed by an array of herbal whole bunch spices over hints of malt and clove like new oak (20%).
“The palate starts with gentle, soft fruits before sappy whole bunch cherry cola and ferrous, mineral like tannins flow to finish. ” — Matt East, Winemaker
Goes well with
Cellaring
2 – 5 years with careful cellaring.
Don’t take our word for it
93 Points – The Wine Front, Gary Walsh
Features
Varieties: Pinot Noir 100%
Colour: Red
ABV: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Style: Still
Case Size: 12 x 75cl
Country: Victoria, Australia
Region: Upper Yarra Valley
Vintage: 2024
