Category Archives: Pinot Noir

2013 Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

The 2012 Wickhams Road wines set the value bar very high indeed. Actually, they were rather alluring regardless of price. The 2013 releases are worthy follow-ups. Plenty of cherry and brambly fruited stuffing with a plum bass line. Forest leaf, … Continue reading

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2012 Ten Minutes by Tractor Judd Vineyard Pinot Noir

Each of these single vineyard wines offers such a different proposition. Maybe that alone explains a lot of our modern preoccupation with the concept of terroir. The Judd Vineyard yields a tannic wine of profound gravitas in 2012. Savoury, entwined, earthen and sappy. … Continue reading

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2012 Ten Minutes by Tractor McCutcheon Vineyard Pinot Noir

The Ten Minutes by Tractor Chardonnays have perhaps slightly overshadowed the Pinot Noirs in the past. Not so this year. The McCutcheon Vineyard Pinot is a wine of immense structure, innate layered complexity, power and depth. Aromas and flavours of … Continue reading

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2012 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir

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 … Continue reading

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2011 Spring Vale Pinot Noir

Very good Pinot Noir from the Freycinet Coast of Tasmania. I prefer my Pinots to walk a little more on the wild side but there’s not much doubt that this will strike a chord with many. And it deserves to. Has … Continue reading

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2013 Cooks Lot Pinot Noir Lot #1111

A less successful Pinot Noir from Orange but it’s fair drinking. A bit light on substance and lolly-like. Sweet raspberry and cherries with touches of leaf and rhubarb. Chocolate oak outline. Black spice and a slightly bitter herbal aftertaste. Couldn’t … Continue reading

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2012 Swinging Bridge M.A.W. Pinot Noir

Swinging Bridge winemaker Tom Ward is on a winner here. I liked it when I had a look in Orange last year and enjoyed it again over two days of tasting this month. Single vineyard, 910 metre altitude. Slick, slinky texture, alluring … Continue reading

Posted in Orange, Pinot Noir | Tagged | 4 Comments

2012 Vino Athlético Pinot Noir

The brainchild of sommeliers Matt Brooke and Liam O’Brien. Tasted next to a Vino Athlético Pinot Noir 2004 which provided a pleasant hit of aged Pinot flavour for thirty dollars, although I believe this is a better wine again. In … Continue reading

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2012 Eden Road The Long Road Pinot Noir

As with the 2012 Eden Road Shiraz, I might have guessed a higher percentage of whole bunch incorporation than is actually the case. 20% for the record. Initially it presents as minty and herbal with a distinct note of cactus … Continue reading

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2011 Tightrope Walker Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

A new label for McWilliam’s consisting of this Pinot and a 2012 Yarra Valley Chardonnay. The latter is the better wine but this is rather fascinating considering the vintage. I can’t tell you from whence in the region the fruit … Continue reading

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