Bellarmine Petit Verdot 2010

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

There's been a couple of WA producers of Petit Verdot whose wines I have been cellaring in the last couple of years. I can see potential even if the wines are a couple of years away from settling down. Brookside and Faber come to mind, and I buy a 6 pack of each and leave them alone for a couple of years. They're still resting mostly.

So, it was a pleasant surprise to be offered a 6 year old at a recent wine event. Bellarmine is a Pemberton producer, whose rieslings (three different ones each year), chardonnay and pinot noir I enjoy from time to time. But Petit Verdot? In Pemberton?

This is a smart wine. The nose starts off with lots of savoury and tobacco notes, leading into ripe red and blue berry fruit. The palate is delightful - a good line of acid supports a mix of raspberry and blueberry fruits, while the tannins are grippy but not over powering. Medium to long finish. The wine is at a real tipping point, where the balance of primary fruit and savoury development is about even. No point in putting these in the cellar - they will go into the 'current drinking' boxes and be lapped up over coming months. Delicious!

Cheers
Allan

[Mahmoud Ali]

Allan, you seem to know your way around Petit Verdot so I was wondering how long you plan on keeping the Petit Verdots that you have decided to cellar? My experience is limited to young Pirramimma and Kingston Estate but it was the Pirramimma from Mclaren Vale that I cellared.

Cheers ........................... Mahmoud.

[Waiters Friend]

Hi Mahmoud

It's a work in progress. 2012's are losing their sharp edges, and this Bellarmine 2010 is absolutely at its peak. I haven't tested any for longer than 4-6 years though. My 2013s and 2014s are not going to be touched for probably another 6-12 months.

So, I can safely determine to put away PVs comfortably for a couple of years before looking at them. I'm not at the level of experience where I can pick their peaks, or estimate longevity with any degree of confidence. So - on the basis of this wine, 6 years of age is looking pretty good!

Cheers
Allan