Pinot Noir – New Release
Barry Weinman: 3rd July 2016
Ethereal at its best, yet notoriously difficult to get right. Given the challenges in producing the wine, finding good value Pinot is indeed difficult.
This task has been made a little easier with the release of the 2014 Artemis Pinot Noir from the Southern Highlands of NSW. The quality is excellent and, at $25 from Dan Murphy, the value is undeniable.
Howard Park’s Flint Rock is another excellent value wine, from a producer normally associated with Cabernet. A pretty, elegant style from the Great Southern.
The Walkerville Pinot has an interesting back-story. Produced by the Rich family (Philip Rich is formerly of Prince Wine Store), the wine is made by the talented Sandro Mosele from Kooyong Estate. The first vines were planted in 2006, and 2013 is the first vintage released (220 dozen produced).
Reviewed
Artemis – Pinot Noir – Southern Highlands – 2014 (18pts – $25). Lighter hue. Lovely fruit here. This is an elegant style, where the fine structural components frame the gentle fruit nicely. Excellent length and the finish fans out across the palate. Will evolve and build for a few years in bottle, as the fruit builds depth with air. A bargain!
Walkerville – Pinot Noir – South Gippsland – 2013 (18pts – $55). This has rich, high quality fruit, and the wine has been seriously made. Cherry, plum, fennel, spice, with hints of cedar from the oak. The tannins shut down the finish, so give it a bit of air. The palate is very long and textured. A savoury treat that would be a delight with roast duck.
Howard Park – Pinot Noir – Flint Rock – 2015 (17.8pts – $28). Vibrant, forward, sweet fruit, with hints of fennel and spice. Cherry flavours on the palate are balanced by souring acidity. Was even better the next day. Delicious, this will also do well with a couple of years in the bottle.
Yerring Station – Pinot Noir – Village – 2013 (17.5pts – $24). Subdued initially, building a pretty floral fragrancy with air. The palate is slightly sappy and savoury, with decent length. Builds density and complexity in the glass, with the fruit evolving for some time on the finish. Slightly chewy tannins to close suggest short-term cellaring might be in order. Good value.