I may have under-rated the 2011 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir. Oh well, it happens and not just in wine shows. This needed some time in a big Burgundy bowl to compose itself but once it did there was no mistaking the quality.
There’s a great deal of depth and some density to the mulberry and sour-edged dark cherry fruit, aided and abetted by high-grade oak. Its smells great; roses, star anise, pepper, sarsaparilla. There’s nothing shy or ephemeral about it but it remains medium-bodied with a counterpoint of undergrowth and a slender thread of whole bunch herbs. Velvety on entry with ultra-fine tannin extending the pleasure and holding the wine in shape. Winemaker Peter Dredge has done it again. 94
Region: Tasmania
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $43
Tasted: January 2014