Tarraford Vineyard
I’m a sucker for this vineyard. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to visit it next month when I’m in the Yarra. Apparently it has a distinctly cooler microclimate than its neighbours due to its location in a valley. It certainly translates into the wine.
Line and length are on show along with the orange citrus characters and ginger that I seem to see each year. Of course that’s just what I consider to be the heart of the wine. There are other layers. Nectarine, almonds, sourdough bread with whispers of smoke and toast. Oak is very restrained. Flavours are etched delicately onto the palate with an outline of chalk and slate. Lees work is clearly evident but it’s carefully incorporated, adding further savoury nous. The finish is emphatic. 95
Region: Yarra Valley
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $40
Tasted: July 2013
Really like these Giant Steps wines. 2012 sound excellent. Do you have the Pinots?
I think they’re smashing wines. Have the Pinots here just need to find another friend to bag and pour so I can taste blind again.
All you need do in this instance (as necks/bottles all same) is bag them. Tape them. Mix them round four or five times. Write numbers on them. Pour them. How will you know which is which? I would not.
Yes, quite right. I hadn’t even considered that the bottles and labels are all pretty much the same with both the Chardonnays and the Pinots.
I think ‘exactly’ is the word you are searching for
I should get you to write my tasting notes
Well, I’d have to make them up in the case of these wines, but I reckon I could do it pretty convincingly!
Well if I lived in the vicinity I’d offer to be your spit bucket boy. I’ve only tried to Sexton and Tarraford Chardonnays in the past but love them big time. Just bought another of the 2010 Tarraford to make up a dozen purchase from interstate. In Adelaide we only see the Sexton in Dans and that’s about it. The Pinots only rarely make it here.
95 pts from Gary Pringle.
I think I like Jeremy Walsh a bit more.
I’m torn between the idea of sharing the name of Australia’s greatest AFL player or feeling like Gary has adopted me…
I’m not old enough to adopt you, you cheeky pig!
Metaphorically speaking, always metaphorically