Grand Cru (Perth) Tasting Group – Pinot Noir

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

The invitation to this tasting was:

“Pinot Noir grows well in some (cooler) states of Australia, but also does well in other countries, and especially in its spiritual home of Burgundy. Red Burgundy can be among the most collectable (and costly) wines in the world.

Pinot Noir can also be made as a sparkling wine, especially in Champagne. It's also made into rose`; again, particularly in cooler climates.

So, for the purposes of this tasting, it's 100% Pinot Noir. No blends, but in any style, any vintage (or NV) and from anywhere in the world.”

So, that’s what we did. Ten of the usual suspects gathered at Mayfair Lane in West Perth for this tasting. As usual, we tasted masked, with only the vintage known. Also as usual, we tasted from youngest to oldest. However, unlike previous tastings, we did not discuss colour, as the lighting did not allow for adequate assessment in this area.

The Andre Clouet NV (Champagne, France) was opened as an aperitif. Although the group did not offer tasting notes, it was generally well received as a classy opening wine. 100% Pinot Noir (so fitted the criteria for this tasting) from Grand Cru vineyards – this has been my house champagne for a while now.

Mount Difficulty 2019 (Central Otago, New Zealand): Intense ripe cherry initially on the nose, wit cranberry, cedary oak, five spice, and green stems. The palate shows a touch of leather, modest tannings and high acid, to the point that the wine finished short and astringent. One taster got “purple Sunburst candy”. It’s unbalanced now, but may come together with time. Most of us picked this as a NZ wine.

Coldstream Hills Deer Farm 2019 (Yarra Valley, Victoria): The nose shows cherries, strawberry and cream, and charry oak. On the palate there’s a touch of funk or brett (which most tasters felt added to the wine’s appeal, not detracted from), grippy tannins, good supporting acid. There’s good length and the group discussed whether there was a percentage of whole bunches in the ferment. The wine is slightly reductive, but overall balanced and well structured. Highly regarded by the group.

Markus Molitor Haus Klosterberg 2017 (Losel, Germany): Somewhat corked, and therefore not assessed.

Ashley Estate 2016 (Perth Hills, W.A.): Initially, the nose was a little medicinal, but this disappeared as the wine opened up. There’s dark cherry, five spice, black pepper and cloves, along with earthy overtones. The palate shows some forest floor, and bright cherry fruit (lots of fruit sweetness here, and porty). Tannins are fine but grippy, and alcohol seems high. Medium finish and described by a couple of tasters as a Barossa Pinot.

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Woodlands Reserve De La Cave 2016 (Margaret River, W.A.): Very pale colour compared to the other wines. Initially the nose showed dairy and port. Palate was very sweet but dull at the same time. We suspect some bacterial spoilage here.

Moorilla Estate 2016 (Tasmania): Sour cherry, five spice, dusty oak and savoury meats – lifted nose. Tannins are low (like black tea), and acid seems lower than the other wines. The palate is fruit-forward, with some vanilla. The finish is short, and one taster got petrol on the palate. Regardless, the palate is a little flat, by comparison.

Oakridge Estate Willowlake Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016 (Yarra Valley, Victoria): A modest nose initially, with sour cherry, pot pourri, strawberry and a touch of V.A. Acid is a little tart, and tannings are fine but quite drying. The acid persists through the finish, but the fruit does not and finishes mid-palate.

Rusack Salomon Hills Vineyard 2014 (Santa Maria Valley, California): There’s a balance between ripe cherry fruit and savoury overtones. There’s also caramel on the nose. On the palate, the wine is well-fruited, with integrated tannins and supporting acid. Long finish and excellent balance. This wine shows more complexity and interest than some of the other wines. Strongly supported by the group.

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Moss Wood 2013 (Margaret River, W.A.): Slightly yeasty / bretty nose (seen as a positive by some tasters), with sour cherry, cloves, dried herbs and alcoholic heat. The palate is fruit dominant, quite tannic, with supporting acid leading to a long glycerol finish.

Domaine Thenard Givry Le Bois Chevaux 2010 (1er Cru Burgundy, France): Heavily corked, and therefore not assessed.

Wine of the night was the Coldstream Hills Deer Farm 2019, followed by the Rusack Salomon Hills Vineyard 2014.

There were only a couple of moderate highlights in this tasting, and it was disappointing to see corked, flat or otherwise faulty wines.

Cheers
Allan

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