TN: Picardy Pinot Noir 2011

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

This is the 'standard' model. not the Tete Du Cuvee. Most of the time, I actually prefer the standard wine.

Pale garnet and bell-clear. A fabulous nose of mushroom, earthiness, strawberry and cloves all meshed in deliciously. The palate has intensity and a light touch, with supporting acid, light but puckering tannins, strawberry and cherry fruit, leading to a quite long finish. There's delicacy and some palate weight, and I can understand if some people see that as a contradiction.

At 6 years old, this could be at its best. I had a 2014 recently that was nowhere near as balanced and fine as this (although it may get there).

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

A whopping 8 years on from suggesting that this wine might be at its peak, I found this in the cellar. My last bottle (not surprisingly).

The colour has changed and surprisingly reminds me of Pepsi Max (without the CO2). There's strawberry compote on the nose, with five spice, mushroom, forest floor, and leather. The palate shows developed cherries and strawberries, with fully integrated tannins, and acid in balance. There's more of the tertiary characters evident as well.

I'm surprised and pleasantly delighted that this wine has held up so well.

Cheers
Allan

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[Chuck]

I have been very impressed with many wines from the mammoth Great Western area. Most are new to me and well worth another look. Your notes of wines from the area has seen me seek wines from the many subregions. I am impressed at the range of grapes that do well there. In particular seeing good shiraz and cabernet (that I like) coming from the same area as good Pinot is impressive. Malbec seems to do well there too. I have not tried any whites but look forward to. In particular riesling seems to do well there.

I am impressed at how the cabernets are presenting well in their youth. Much more approachable than say cabernets from Coonawarra that need a lot of sleep time.

I look forward to more of your notes.

[I Love Shiraz]

Australian Pinot Noir ages far better than most people give it credit. I have had plenty at 10-15 years that were very good. I have even had a few from the 1990's.