Media

"A lovely chardonnay from the Yarra Valley. It has a nose of lime, grapefruit and melons expressing what chardonnay lovers crave. Lovely light oak finish makes it a memorable drop. 91/100"

"Right on song and a welcome return after the 2009 Black Sunday (sic) bushfires put a temporary halt to production. Creamy and complex, background oak influence, pristine citrus and melon fruit, vibrant acidity and the finish is clean and crisp."

"Yarra Valley is renowned for pinot, and this lively drop displays the typical cherry lusciousness all over. Bouncy, cheeky, balanced. Another good vintage from these guys. 94pts"

"The Mandala complex is a great place to visit on a journey through the Yarra Valley. Pinot is well-handled here, and the 2010 is an attractive example. Cherry, raspberry and spice aromas are quietly complex. The palate is on the light side of medium-bodied, but persistent in flavour. 4.5 stars."

"This is a single vineyard red from the Mandala Dixon's Creek plot and exhibits nicely the style you would expect from the Yarra Valley. This is all cedary French oak, pure cassis fruit, and very dry fine tannins on the finish which will soften with age. Lovely now, great in seven to eight years."

"Mandala has been on the scene for less than three years but already it has established a reputation as a go to Yarra Valley destination in a region that boasts some of Australia's best wineries. A cracking single vineyard cabernet (Mandala's first), perfectly poised and oozing class with dark fruitcake-like licorice, clever oaking and fine, silky tannins. Drink with a herb-infused lamb roast."
Kerry Skinner, The Illawarra Mercury, March 2011

"This Yarra Valley single-vineyard red shows rich cassis, cigar box and cedary French oak on the nose with dark berry fruit on the palate and fine tannins on the finish. Rating 93 points"
Mike Frost, Courier Mail, 18 March 2011

"Refusing the offer to decant was regrettable as the wine really hit it's straps as we hit the streets heading home. 9/10"
Max Cruz, Border Mail, 18 March 2011

"Soft and supple blend of fruit from three different sites, lashings of black fruit, integrated spice, clever oaking, juicy tannins and a great match to go with that sunday roast."

"Mandala Wines owner Charles Smedley siad the growing conditions were perfect for the cabernet that went into this wine and by the taste his judgement was spot on. A lovely rounded cab sav with a blackcurrant and oak flavour. one of the best I have tasted from the Yarra Valley."

Peter Chapman, News Mail, Gladstone Observer and Toowoomba Chronicle, 25/06/2011

"A newcomer to the region label-wise.....full, soft approachable and well weighted with the expected Yarra Valley dark, juicy balccurrant and spice character to the fore with well structured tannins, Mandala is a winery with plenty of potential - definitely one to watch."

"Sourced from three different sites on Mandala's Yarra Valley vineyard, this was aged 18 months in mostly older French oak, allowing the fruit to shine. A calssic cool climate cabernet with clean blackberry characters. Try with lack of lamb."
Jeff Collerson, Daily Telegraph, 11/06/2011

"Comes off three separate sites in the Yarra Valley. Has been designed as an easy-drinking cabernet for the shorter term, yet it has the structure and body to suggest it will easily handle a few years in the cellar. Spicy oak generous fleshy fruit make this a most enjoyable wine. 89/100."
The West Australian, 14 April 2011

"Mandala is one of the most stylish newer cellar doors in the Yarra Valley and is a great place to visit and dine. Wine quality is worthy of the surroundings . This cabernet opens with classical varietal characters - blackcurrent, cedar and briar - and the medium-bodied palate is smooth and friendly with soft dannins underneath. Easy to like. 4.5 stars."
Ralph Kyte-Powell, Epicure, The Age, 19 April 2011

"Nicely balanced low-yielding Yarra Cabernet with the finely structured tannins to see it out for a decade yet. Fruit and oak unite harmoniously in aromas of perfumed violets and flavours of black cherries and dark chocolate."
Tyson Stelzer, Wine 100, Jan/Feb edition

"Good SBs are not just from New Zealand, with this Yarra Valley drop a lively reminder of the quality on our doorstep. Lime and honey bouquet, with ripe melon flavours. 93 pts."

"Strong white peach characters on the nose with some nice lychee influence. It's not like the NZ stuff. Retains a nice freshness with a crisp fine acid that carries through to the finish. Really zingy finish. Very intense and long with a zippy acid. Has a nice citrus zip on the palate."
Ray Jordan, The West Australian, November 2010

" Where to for dedicated Sauvignon Blanc drinkers? Perhaps it's time to start exploring the smaller labels, the lesser travelled regions. This family concern is a great example of how to stamp an individual style on the variety. A classic tropical fruits spectrum, but without a hint of over-ripeness. 11 percent alcohol the proof. Crisp touch of fruit sweetness."
Tony Love, The Herald Sun and other News Limited publications, November 2010

"The family-owned Mandala Wines is one of the Yarra Valley's best boutique operators with access to quality fruit from its two vineyards at Dixon's Creek and Yarra Junction. This drink-now release will make pleasant drinking over the warmer weeks ahead with its aromatic, lip-smacking tropical fruit flavours, a touch of spice, freshly cut grass characters, lively acidity and crisp, clean finish. Drink with fresh seafood."
Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, November 2010

"A minerally-driven wine with good length." - Andrew Stubbs
'A very ripe bouquet with some waxy texture on the palate." - Mike Bennie
National Liquor News, November 2010

"A combination of malolactic and some wild yeast ferments. The fruit is all from 22-year-old Dixon's Creek vineyard. Has a linear style to it with a minerally citrus tang cutting deep through the finely structure palate. Oak has been pulled back and this allows the fruit to emerge. Well-balanced wine of real class. Excellent wine."
Ray Jordan, West Australian, November 2010

"Another high class chardonnay: baby pineapple again, nectarine, with fine oak characters. Surprisingly delicate palate with fruit that is mouth-watering. Lovely sea-salty acidity and gentle oak wafts to finish. Subtety as well as fruit intensity. 94/100."
Tim White, The Australian Financial Review, August 2010

"The Mandala Prophet Pinot Noir is only produced in special years when vintage conditions are favourable and the quality of the fruit is impressive. The Mandala Prophet Pinot Noir 2008 is only the second vintage of this single site wine. Made from the best parcels of fruit from Mandala's Yarra Junction vineyard, the wine displays leafy, autumnel characters on the nose and cherry and plum on the palate with great length."
Drinks Trade, November 2010

"This well made Yarra Valley Pinot Noir grows in charm as it breathes. Dark cherry, plum and stewed rhubarb aromas have a light, sweet edge of spice, while subtle mocha oak is integrated seamlessly. Tasting concentrated and rich, it has a velvety texture, lingering flavour, fine tannins and leans towards a dry style. Drink over five years. 4.5 Stars."
Ralph Kyte Powell, The Age Epicure, August 2010

"This is the second Prophet release from Mandala's Yarra Junction vineyard and it re-affirms the wisdom of the Smedley family's decision to craft it only when conditions bring a vintage of exceptional quality. At $50, it's not cheap, but the wine demonstrates what an elegant drink Pinot Noir can be when all elements are in harmony. Perfume of soft violets and cloves give way to silky red fruit on the palate."
Fifi Lim-Livermore, Leader Community Newspapers, August 2010

"Pinot is a notoriously tricky variety to make but the Yarra Valley-based Mandala has nailed this release, just the second under the Prophet label and only made from exceptional vintages. It's a wine of finess, aromatic and classy with intense cherry and berry fruit flavours, integrated spice and earthy characters, clever oaking and silky smooth tannins. Drink with roast duck."
Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, 23 June 2010

"A robust style of pinot with more colour and concentration than many other pinots tasted, its fragrance a red berry salad bowl of ripe plums and raspberries, showing fuller body and tannin structure too with impressive length. A bigger red drinker's style. 93 Points."

Tony Love, Top 40 Wines, Herald Sun, December 2010
Tony Love, Adelaide Advertiser, November 2010

"This has lovely forest berry tang to it, with poached pear and peel. Subtle oak spice too. Oomph in the mouth, with dusty tannins and compressed citrus peel acidity. Excellent depth down the middle and fragrant, tangy and sea salty to close. Fab pinot."
Tim White, The Age, September 2010

"90 Points - You'd hardly complain if someone served you this. It's a very nice drop. It tastes of stewed, but pleasant beetroot flavours, and perhaps some earthiness too, on top of the more usual flavours of macerated cherries and spice. It's perfumed and dry, lightly tannic, and offers good all-round drinking."
Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2010/11

On the 2007 Chardonnay

“After a few minutes or so, this wine really opens up and reveals flavours such as citrus lime to caramel and butterscotch. Nothing too sweet here though – just really fresh and subtle. Great summer drinking.”
MX Brisbane and MX Sydney, November 2008

What the experts are saying about our venue:

"Mandala - a stylish architect-designed shrine to recycled materials. The food, by head chef Neil Cunningham, is a standout with subtly smoked scallop....and juicy roast fillet of local venison on sauteed brussels sprout puree and wild blackberry sauce, paired with the Prophet 2008 Pinot Noir."

"This cellar door is one of the most stylish in the Yarra Valley, and the restaurant, run by head Chef Neil Cunningham, is worth a visit. The food is sourced as much as possible directly from the land, so you'll find a number of tasty game-inspired dishes on the menu, accompaniied by fresh heirloom vegetables plucked straight from Mandala's vegie garden. Try dishes such as roasted heirloom beetroot salad with Yarra Valley goat's cheese for entree and roast fillet of local venison, sauteed Brussels sprouts and wild blackberry sauce for main".
Leah McLennan, Sunday Camberra Times, August 2011

"Sometimes you come across an eating etsablishment that surprises so much that you wonder why you havent heard about it before. Such is the case with Mandala Wines Restaurant, off the beaten track in Dixons Creek, in the Yarra Valley. On a recent, bleak Sunday, the food and service at Mandala Wines shone. We did what most punters do and enjoyed a wine-tasting first, moving from the citrusy, sparkling blanc de blancs to the excellent pinot noir. Back in the light-and-airy restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass walls on three sides we start with a flavoursome smoked scallop and celeriac soup with Serrano ham which was poured at the table and topped with shavings of Chestnut Hill truffle and a Mandala roasted heirloom beetroot salad salad with Yarra Valley goat's cheese and toasted hazelnuts- both perfect with a glass of Mandala sauvignon blanc.
Tricia Welsh, The Saturday Age, August 2011

'Finally, if you fancy dining in amongst the vines, call on Mandala Wines. "I try to source as much produce as possible directly from the land" says chef Neil Cunningham, and boy can you taste it in dishes such as roast fillet of local venison and Mr Smedley's imperial mandarin creme brulee".'

Prophet Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2008 - Strong, clear colour, has a fragrant bouquet centred on cherry, plum and raspberry aromas; the palate is silky and juicy, with very good mouthfeel and length. Rating 95

Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2008 - Bright green straw; very much in the modern idiom, early picked and subtle French oak; flavours of nectarine, white peach and grapefruit drive the palate through to its long conclusion. Rating 94

Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - An elegant wine, with cedar and spice nuances rippling through the base of black currant and cassis, the texture very fine, tannins and oak simply providing background. Rating 94

For media queries about Mandala Wines, please contact Scott Darkin at Dig Marketing Group on
T: 03 8606 3700 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 03 8606 3700 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or E: scott@digmarketing.com.au