Grand Cru (Perth) Tasting Group – Wines of Tasmania

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

The usual suspects assembled this month at Lulu’s Little Bistro. The brief this month was Tasmania – any style, grape varieties or vintage. I expected we would see Riesling and Pinot Noir, but the field was somewhat broader than that.

We started with a single sparkling wine: Arras Blanc de Blanc NV. Lemon colour with a fine mousse. The nose was delicate, with faint lemon, and apple, some cheese and cashew nut. The palate was also restrained, with soft lemon, considerable acid,, green apple and white nectarine. Medium length and a slightly creamy finish.

Then a bracket of Rieslings:

Pooley Estate Riesling 2022: Lemon colour. Clean lemon/lime on the nose, with jasmine, and some quince on first pour. Fresh lemon on the palate, with Bickford’s lime cordial, high acid, beeswax and wet stone. Good length.

Pooley ‘Margaret Pooley Tribute’ Riesling 2022: Lemon colour. A more complex nose than the previous Pooley, with lemon, white blossoms, red apple skin, pineapple, sherbet and soap shavings. Despite all those descriptors, the nose still shows some delicacy. The palate shows more lemon/lime, and tart fresh pineapple. High acid is nevertheless well integrated, but overall the wine is softer and more rounded than the previous wine and very well balanced.

Leo Buring ‘Leopold’ Riesling 2013. Wow! The colour on this 12-year-old wine is pale indeed. A delicate nose, with more florals than fruit (lemon, mandarin). A lemon/lime cordial explosion on the palate. Zingy acid, and a reasonably long finish. In some ways, this appears undeveloped and should go for many years yet. White wine of the night.

Next, a pair of chardonnays:

Sandy Bay Estate Chardonnay 2023: Vanilla, moderate stone fruits, grapefruit and tropical fruit (mango, passionfruit, pineapple) on the nose. More fruits on the palate, with grapefruit, passionfruit, apricot, white peach, and nectarine. Vanilla and plenty of soft acid, and texture from oak. Some tasters considered this overworked.

Holyman Chardonnay 2023: Cedar, ripe peach and nectarine on the nose, with some Edam and macadamia. Ripe peaches on the palate, with sour grapefruit, butter, and a little salinity. Evidence of lees work and malo and textural oak. Excellent length and complexity and well regarded by the group.

The main event of the night, however, was the reds. Many (but not all) Pinot Noir, with a couple of surprises.

Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir 2023: Pale garnet. Fresh and sour red cherries on the nose, with five spice, white pepper and a herbal lift. Fresh cherries on the palate also, with light stalky tannins (slightly astringent), juicy acidity, and medium bodied. The finish falls away slightly, and the wine is a little unbalanced.

Ghost Rock ‘Iris’ Pinot Noir 2023: Ruby colour. Dark sour cherries on the nose, with strawberries, mocha and caramel. A spicy and oaky palate, with ripe dark cherries, coffee grounds, black olive and furry tannins. A full palate, and described as a ‘ballsy pinot’. Well regarded by the group.

Pooley J.R.D. Syrah 2022: Pale ruby in colour. Sour red cherry, black plums, tar and cedar on the nose. Blackberries, plums, tar, violets, and black pepper on the palate. Some celery and stalkiness as well. Medium acid, soft tannins and medium-full bodied with a long finish. Well regarded by the group.

Glaetzer-Dixon ‘Reveur’ Pinot Noir 2022: 55% whole bunch inclusion. Garnet colour. Ripe strawberries, dark sour cherries, bay leaf, cinnamon, five spice and menthol on the nose. There’s lovely fresh fruits on the palate, with tart strawberries and cherries, black pepper, mocha and olive tapenade. High acid and slightly bitter tannins leading to a reasonably long finish. Well regarded by the group.

Eddystone Point Pinot Noir 2021: Pale garnet. Tasters referred to barnyard funk initially, which detracted from the fruit aromas. Strawberry jam, red fruits, coffee grounds, vanilla, and herbs on the nose. Confected red cherries and ripe strawberry appear on the palate, with cocoa powder towards the finish. Grippy tannins, medium acid and a slightly short finish. Regardless, well regarded by the group.

Pooley Estate Pinot Noir 2020: Delicate nose, with strawberry, red cherries, raspberry and pancetta. Intense red fruits on the palate, with coconut, chocolate and bacon fat. Good supporting acid and light soft tannins leading to a medium finish.

Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon 2000: Ruby colour. Leather, VA, menthol, coffee / mocha, and developed blackberry fruits on the nose. Muscadelles and black plums on the palate, with chalky tannins, cedary oak and noticeable acid and tannins. Medium to long finish and an excellent wine to finish the tasting with. Wine of the night.

Many thanks to those who attended, with some surprising wines in the mix. Special thanks to Mark and Jodie at Lulu’s for hosting us again in their Wine Room.

No photos, sorry!

Cheers
Allan

[Andrew Jordan]

Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon 2000: Ruby colour. Leather, VA, menthol, coffee / mocha, and developed blackberry fruits on the nose. Muscadelles and black plums on the palate, with chalky tannins, cedary oak and noticeable acid and tannins. Medium to long finish and an excellent wine to finish the tasting with. Wine of the night.

Alan thanks for the notes. Agree with your note on the Domaine A 2000 Cabernet. This would be by far the best vintage I have had of this label and glad to hear it is still going strong. First time I had it was when I was working for a restaurant group in London with the wine maker and even then, it was a WOW wine. I still have a few bottles in the cellar so must crack one soon!