Kaspar Hermann’s reputation is built on the back of Chardonnay―Toolangi’s F Block is one of the Yarra Valley’s finest examples―but the ex-Mount Mary man’s skills extend far beyond that. Since taking the helm at Toolangi Vineyard a few years back, he has honed his Shiraz skills, taking the top-notch fruit grown in the forest-hugging Dixons Creek site and transforming it into evocative, sinewy, seductively perfumed cool-climate Shiraz—at a killer price, too.
Established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyard is one of the Yarra Valley’s best-kept secrets. It’s a naturally low-yielding site, with 11 hectares of vines nestled in the lee of the Toolangi State Forest. The Shiraz vines are all PT23 clone and planted across two blocks.
Fruit for the 2022 was picked over two passes in mid-March. It fermented with 40% bunches, with the remainder destemmed but left as berries. After three weeks, the wine was pressed to seasoned barriques for 11 months’ maturation. Though low-yielding, 2022 was a terrific season in the Yarra Valley, with impeccable fruit delivering wines of concentration and finesse.