WINE OF THE WEEK: McWilliam’s 2006 Lillydale Estate Pinot Noir

ONE FOR LUNCH: McWilliam’s 2006 Lillydale Estate Pinot Noir must qualify as the closest you’ll get to a virtually “hand made” wine – beginning from the hand-picking of the fruit in its Yarra Valley vineyard, through to careful de-stemming, and 5-days pigeage (foot treading in vats in the winery.)

This largely Old World treatment has resulted in a wonderfully elegant, regionally expressive wine that bursts in the mouth with cherry flavours and hints of gaminess; well worth $26 to linger with over a rack of lamb.