I’ve just been celebrating a (relatively) major birthday milestone (thus the four days of inactivity on this site). Many and varied exceptional wines were consumed and the odd one even received a note and score. But all that’s par for the course. Part of what interested me about this opportunity was the chance to revisit and note how my personal preferences have or haven’t changed. The 2004 Curly Flat Pinot Noir holds a special place in my heart, for many reasons – not the least of which is that it’s a quality wine. I probably prefer a more subtle, savoury and, dare I say, wild expression of the grape these days but I couldn’t deny the opulent, dense pleasure offered by this nine-year old bottle.
Floods the mouth with rich flavour. Plum, blueberry, lavender, raspberry and a twist of cranberry/sour cherry holding the primary fruited fort while sweet cinnamon, black pepper, star anise and hints of veal stock, tea leaf and mushroom contribute intrigue. Velvety in texture with plenty of quality creamy and slightly vanillin oak sitting within the layers of flavour. Shows no sign whatsoever of drying out. I wouldn’t open another bottle for at least five years if I had any left. Ropey, oak derived tannin shapes the wine from the midpalate onwards. A truly deluxe Pinot in style and stature. While I’ve probably moved on it was great fun to look back. 94 Excellent
Region: Macedon
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Diam
Price: $48
Tasted: March 2013