Tasting Note No.44
The 1998 vintage received much praise and while I believe it's a good wine, the 1999 is much better. I had the good fortune to taste them together. A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, it's a class act. The wine spent 3 years on lees and it was released in April.
Colour beautiful salmon pink. Excellent mousse with tiny bubbles. Surprisingly strong gamey nose, similar to good rosé Champagne. On the palate it lives up to the promise. Surprising depth of flavours for an Aussie sparkling, it is absolutely gorgeous. I could taste the goodness of the pinot clearly with gamey tones and a fine dry acid lift from the chardonnay. Very fresh, tasty and delicious, it will cellar for 3 more years. I absolute loved this wine. (The same can not be said about the standard 1999 vintage sparkling with it's creamy and coarse bubbles that I didn't enjoy at all) Well balanced and expertly made this rosé is a top wine at AU $27.
Cheers,
Attila
Tasted:April 2004