Overview
The 2016 Wantirna Estate Lily Pinot Noir brings together three distinctive parcels of the Egan family’s Yarra Valley vineyard. Its original reviews emphasised floral perfume, cherry fruit and a silky texture, with enough underlying structure to give the wine substance beyond its delicate presentation.
Wantirna’s small scale allows each Pinot Noir block to be harvested separately. Blending their contrasting fruit, spice and savoury characters is central to Lily’s identity, while a subtle change in skin contact brought an additional layer of texture to the 2016 release.
Vintage & Winemaking
For this vintage, Maryann Egan retained a small component on skins for several days after fermentation in an open concrete fermenter. The intention was to connect the fruit-filled middle palate with the tannin finish, adding complexity rather than weight.
The wine underwent open-tank fermentation with hand plunging and some pumpovers, followed by 10 months’ ageing in the cool, semi-underground cellar. It was racked once before bottling. This measured approach preserved the estate’s characteristic emphasis on fragrance, balance and fine texture.
Product Highlights
| Producer |
Wantirna Estate |
| Wine |
Lily Pinot Noir |
| Vintage |
2016 |
| Region |
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia |
| Grape Variety |
Pinot Noir |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Vineyard |
Three estate Pinot Noir blocks |
| Fermentation |
Open tanks, with hand plunging and pumpovers |
| Maturation |
10 months, according to the producer’s vintage notes |
- Three separately harvested blocks contribute complementary characters.
- The oldest Pinot Noir block dates to the early 1970s.
- A small extended-maceration component adds texture to the 2016 blend.
- Rated 93+ points by Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Release-era reviews describe cherry and plum fruit, rose-like florals, fennel and a subtle woodland character.
Palate: Silky and finely textured, with supple fruit, delicate tannins and a fresh line of acidity.
Finish: Persistent and evenly balanced, retaining the perfume and gentle structure highlighted in its original assessments.
These descriptions reflect the wine when reviewed, rather than a recent tasting of this individual bottle.
Food Pairing
- Roast duck
- Mushroom risotto
- Herb-roasted chicken
- Pork tenderloin
- Grilled salmon
Serving Temperature: Approximately 14–16°C, allowing the wine to develop gradually in the glass.
Cellaring Potential
The 2016 is now a mature release. Its original reviews highlighted balance, fine structure and medium-term development. For a well-stored bottle, enjoyment now takes priority over assuming another lengthy period in the cellar. Assess its development on opening.
Critic Scores & Reviews
| Critic |
Score |
| Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, October 2017 |
93+ points |
“A complex nose. A silken palate.” — Campbell Mattinson
