TN: 2010 Nicholson River Bass Strait NR Pinot Noir

[Ozzie W]

I'd never heard of this winery before. Saw this in a wine store and was intrigued so I took a punt.

Elegant black cherry, blackberry, forest floor, layers of spices, lovely strong but integrated tannins with balanced acidity. Long dry complex savoury finish. It's quite Burgundian in style. Drink now or will hold at least another 5 years. 12.6% ABV

Nicholson River Winery has been around almost 40 years, so I was surprised I'd never heard of them. As it turns out, they're a quiet achiever. They don't advertise, submit wines for review or shows and the wines are sold via cellar door and mailing list only. They're located in Gippsland, not far from Bairnsdale. Was very lucky to find this at a boutique wine store. I'll be back for more.

This is what I love most about about wine. The journey of discovery!

[rooman]

Its a great winery if you are ever down Gippsland way. We stopped in there back in 2003 as part of a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne based on its 5 gold star rating in the old Gold Wine Book. Len, the owner, is one of those amasing hosts you come across in the business who just love their wines.

He invited us to join him on his deck over looking the vineyard and then disappeared into his cellar saying: "I've got something I want to show you". After 15 mins or so we figured he had forgotten about us and were about to leave when he reemerged holding a 1990 bottle in his hands. He then pulled the cork and we spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting pinots to him.

As for the wine it was stunning. At 12 years old, it was like an old Vosne Romanee. We kept buying his wines whenever he came to Sydney and then somehow dropped off his list. In good years, the wines will age beautifully but he definitely has good and bad years in the Gippsland.

[michel]

we went cellar door in 1991 or so
lovely guy
the chard is v botrytis orientated - big kinda sweet on recent tasting
pinot is cropped one tonne per acre - can edge to the dry red - just dont enjoy it as much as i used to
he is doing more 2nd label wines these days
I think he was a school teacher

[Ozzie W]

Thanks for the info rooman & michel. I see they have quite a portfolio of wines on offer.

I really liked the Burgundian style of the Pinot. Rooman nailed it when he compared it with Vosne Romanee.

[via collins]

Well spotted, and well procured Ozzie.

And you've brought some great stories out from the readers too, nice work.

I've passed by the turn-off to Nicholson River Wines at least 8 times now, as the family are travelling to or from holidays in summer. Long drives too, so the idea of "Dad wants to stop off at a ludicrously obscure cellar door off the main road" goes down like a......

You get the idea.

But great tale Rooman, I MUST get onto this wine.

Cheers,

[Ozzie W]

Thanks via collins. Not sure I can take credit for spotting something I'd never heard of before... more luck than brains!
I returned to the store today on the way home from work and bought the sole remaining bottle. Will enjoy over the long weekend.
The store is getting some of the 2013 vintage in a couple weeks. Will be buying some to put into the cellar.