TN: 2003 Curly Flat Pinot & 2004 Mildara Cabernet

[85luke]

Wine: 2003 Curly Flat Pinot Noir
Wine opened with a very strong lanolin smell. This blew off after about half an hour, to provide some background complexity. This wine has a good core of ripe fruit, red berries and cherries. It’s underlying flavours of forest, eucalyptus and game. It has some bitter green tannins. It is a silky wine, and was forever changing in the glass. After a while it revealed some composty type aromas, which were interesting. Fantastic wine, but should have been decanted.

Wine: 2004 Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Dusty, splashes of eucalyptus and mint. Dried herbs, a deep core of fruit. Smokey, and smells like a hot summers day in the bush. The tannins are long and fine, with perhaps a hint of chalky texture and taste. Superb wine, with the fruit and tannins to ensure it lives for at least 15 years. I thought it to be rather elegant. Carries the 14.5% alcohol with ease.

[Adair]

Wine: 2003 Curly Flat Pinot Noir
Wine opened with a very strong lanolin smell. This blew off after about half an hour, to provide some background complexity. This wine has a good core of ripe fruit, red berries and cherries. It’s underlying flavours of forest, eucalyptus and game. It has some bitter green tannins. It is a silky wine, and was forever changing in the glass. After a while it revealed some composty type aromas, which were interesting. Fantastic wine, but should have been decanted.

N/V Curly Flat. crisp, fresh apple and pear. Strawberries and yeasty toasted brioche. Touch of nectarine. Very clean and fresh.

Hello Luke (I presume),

I thought I would reply to you here as I have recently bought a "tasting pack" of Curly Flat wines consisting of: NV Macedon Sparkling White, 2004 Chardonnay, 2004 Williams Crossing Chardonnay, and the 2001, 2002, 2003 Pinot Noirs; and it seems you might be a fan as well.

Previously I have had the 2001 Curly Flat Pinot Noir, served blind, that was stunning. I thought it Premier Cru. I have also had the 2001 Williams Crossing Pinot Noir, which was also excellent.

Based on my experience and your tasting note, I certainly look forward to opening the 2003 Pinot Noir.

Out of the tasting pack so far, I have had only the NV Macedon Sparkling and the 2004 Williams Crossing Chardonnay.

I found the NV Macedon Sparkling White - 12.5% not as impressive as you did. Although it was packed with flavour, it was the lack of elegance and finish that disappointed me which resulted in the ripe and sweet flavours of predominately custard apple, brioche and pear with maybe some botrytis as well as considerable residual sugar in the dosage appear flabby and unstructured. Maybe a different disgorgement to your bottle. Maybe 85/100 (15.5.20) when feeling generous for what it is worth. Not good value at $25.

However, the 2004 Williams Crossing Chardonnay - 13.5% was as great as one could hope for a $15 wine. In fact it was much better. I have not had better at this price. Actually, I have not had better at $25! Ripe and pure Chardonnay fruit of melons and stonefruits, with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel of excellent depth, were balanced and totally controlled, avoiding any flabbiness, by great acid, minerals and autolysis-like complexities. Burgundy at $15! The days of overripe, simple and/or overoaked Chardonnay are gone when $15 Chardonnay is as good as this. 93/100(18/20) from me. How good is the 2004 Curly Flat Chardonnay going to be?!

Kind regards,
Adair

[camw]

However, the 2004 Williams Crossing Chardonnay - 13.5% was as great as one could hope for a $15 wine. In fact it was much better. I have not had better at this price. Actually, I have not had better at $25!

If you get a chance, also have a look at the Curly Flat "Lacuna" Unwooded 2005 - I thought it brilliant. Low $20s I think.

[Adair]

However, the 2004 Williams Crossing Chardonnay - 13.5% was as great as one could hope for a $15 wine. In fact it was much better. I have not had better at this price. Actually, I have not had better at $25!

If you get a chance, also have a look at the Curly Flat "Lacuna" Unwooded 2005 - I thought it brilliant. Low $20s I think.

Thanks for the tip cam but I did not see it on their order form: http://www.curlyflat.com/docs/OrderFormRelwww.pdf

Adair