2011 Bird on a Wire Marsanne

One of the most fascinating and fearless wines in the Australian vinous landscape today and it’s on song again in 2011. No added acid, 100% malolactic, 80% barrel ferment, full-bodied glycerol texture. Love it.

There’s a little more acid structure than last year, a result of the cooler season…but that acidity is still enveloped by a gorgeously supple and soft mouthfeel. It smells of pine nuts, honeysuckle, sage, fennel seeds and submerged stonefruits; all manner of wonderful things. The palate is predominantly savoury with finessed but assertive phenolics and just a touch of gingery heat. The finish carries a gin and tonic bitterness. Only 150 dozen made. I was too slow to get any of the 2010 stashed away but I’ve been quicker off the mark this year. Excellent

Region: Yarra Valley
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Tasted: August 2012

http://www.birdonawirewines.com.au

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4 Responses to 2011 Bird on a Wire Marsanne

  1. Red says:

    Never tried it, but certainly keen to now. Nice note.

  2. Thanks Andrew. It’s a unique wine. I thought it would polarise people when I asked Caroline if she would submit a couple of bottles of the 2010 for a public white Rhone tasting I was co-hosting – to my surprise it was one of the best received wines of the night. As I always say, don’t underestimate the consumer’s desire to learn and experience new things. Often all you need is the right environment.

    Would love to read your thoughts if you grab a bottle.

  3. Red says:

    Agreed. If you provide a bit of explanation and context to a wine, plenty of average wine consumers can appreciate and enjoy the unconventional and supposedly challenging

  4. Richard Bate says:

    Magic wine – lovely phenolic grip…textural whites are the future people!

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