James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2011

Lance's Vineyard Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2008
Similar colour and clarity to Close Planted; an elegant and highly fragrant bouquet, then a delicious stream of red and black cherry fruit running seamlessly along the palate; superb line and length; 210 dozen made. Screwcap.
13.5% alc. Rating 96 Drink 2016 $50 Date Tasted Dec 09

Gourmet Traveller December/January 2011

Campbell Mattinson

As they say in the classics: the biggest problem with this wine is that there's not enough to go around.  2009 [should be 2008] Punch Lance's Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from some of the Yarra Valley's most acclaimed pinot noir vines (planted in 1976) with some help from estate vines placed in 1998.  What makes it so special is the way each of its flavuors seem sprawled on a pin; the wine has an overwhelming sense of precision.  It is sweet-sour and chalky, autumnal and yet powerful and ripe.  The flavours dart through your mouth and instead of disappearing as you swallow - they fan out; the flavours have their greatest breadth in the aftertaste. It has dry, ropy tannins and it will taste even better as a six or seven year-old than it does now - which is saying something. This is another example of how far Australian pinot noir has come.  Now, where's the credit card?