Yarra Valley Reserve Release Pinot Noir 2004

"With a cool, calm exterior, it is easy to assume that all is well. But one sip will show that controlled chaos is ensuing under the surface of this maelstrom of a wine."
Matthew Jukes, Top 100 Australian Wines 2006, UK


Yarra Valley Reserve Release Pinot Noir 2003

"Is world-class and the best Australian pinot I have tasted to date.  A clear step-up [from the Yarra Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2004].  I asked Steve Webber what accounted for such a difference.  'Older vines.' he said."
Ned Halley, Western Daily Press, UK, 28 January 2006

Yarra Valley Reserve Release Syrah 2004

"We foolishly thought that we had tasted the best Shiraz that De Bortoli could put on. Then the Reserve Release Syrah rocketed in from left-field and we didn't know what hit us. What comes above A class? We'll answer that: this does! It's a concentrated, spicy, peppery concoction of explosive flavours, but just just when you think it's about to go absolutely ballistic, it swoops into a beautifully controlled and restrained finish. This wine is proof that Steve Webber is not just a Pinot specialist - he's a grand Jedi master who knows enough mind tricks to elevate any varietal off the surface of the planet!"
Matthew Jukes & Tyson Stelzer, Taste Food & Wine 2007

"Anthony Rose's (The Independent, UK) top wine for splashing out on is the 2004 De Bortoli Yarra Valley Reserve Release Syrah."
Anthony Rose, In The Press, Harpers UK, 19 May 2006

"Made in the restrained and balanced style of Côte Rôtie; with typical pepper and spice undertones, rich berry fruit and deft oak, but it's not over the top."
The Independent, UK, 13 May 2006

"Is from the grape they call Shiraz in Australia, but here is labelled with its original French name, Syrah, the sole ingredient of revered Rhone Valley reds such as Cornas.  Steve Webber has done so because he believes the wine is 'more like Cornas than anything else'.  He's right.  It is wonderful and already mature enough to drink with huge pleasure."
Ned Halley, Western Daily Press, UK, 28 January 2006