Curly Flat Pinot 2005

Rawshack · Post by **Rawshack** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:53 pm

OK, since I'm getting lambasted for vitriolic posts about cheap wine, I thought I'd post a proper, sensible tasting note about a proper, sensible wine.

I'll start by stating that I'm a big fan of the Curly Flat 05 Chardonnay, and it's probably in my top 5 examples of the variety (and no, don't go off mentioning B*rgundy, I go all queer when I hear that word), so I admit to maybe experiencing the halo effect with this wine.

The Curly Flat pinot displayed aroma's of bright raspberries and cherries, as well as some floral, perfumed notes. Those red fruits followed through to the palate and displayed a good intensity. Tannins were supple, but firm. Acidity was bright but well balanced, and overallthere was a real persistence to this wine.

Great pinot, that had a little depth and wasn't simply red fruit forward. It impressed my guests and we all thought it jolly good. Bravo Curly Flat.

There, that wasn't so hard, was it?

Rawshack · Post by **Rawshack** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:03 pm

Has no-one else tried this? It's a winner, just like me.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:49 am

Hey Rawshack

Yep, its a bloody beauty. Word from Phillip is 2006 and 2007 will be even better. Good to see you posting again. Only just joined the forum.

Cheers

Rawshack · Post by **Rawshack** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:01 pm

jeremy wrote:Hey Rawshack

Yep, its a bloody beauty. Word from Phillip is 2006 and 2007 will be even better. Good to see you posting again. Only just joined the forum.

Cheers

Hey Jeremy, how you going?

I was in the mood for a good pinot and it was either this or the William Downie. I remember you saying how good this is, and you weren't wrong, it was a ripper

If only I could afford more on a regular basis...

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:01 am

Know the feeling. Have been meaning to get an order off to CF since last November. Will have to give up the last remnants of my social life :roll:

Omotesando · Post by **Omotesando** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:12 am

I've tried both the Pinot and the Chardonnay from the same 2005 vintage too. They were pretty impressive. For the not so ridiculous prices, the pinot beats just nearly any French Burgundy in that price range easily. I've learnt to stick to local pinots unless I was ready to fork out $150-500+ for a French one and even then...

As for the chardonnay, I thoroughly enjoyed it but still have to give that one to the French. Some 1er Cru Chablis and Burgundies aren't that expensive relative to the reds but are really in a class of their own. Funny thing is, big ripe Chards are losing popularity in Aust to Sauvignons (Blanc), I wonder if we'll still see Oz produce some French beating Chards in the future?

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:58 pm

I'm glad you enjoyed them Omotesando. It says a lot about a winery when Jancis Robinson makes time out on her Australian jaunt to visit Phillip and Jeni and find out more about these wines. I realise Grigio is a dirty word to many, but if you have any interest, the 2007 was superb and the 2008 (which I ordered this morning) is apparently even better.

May I ask your impressions of the Chardonnay- Tasting notes or memory?

Cheers
jeremy

Omotesando · Post by **Omotesando** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:40 am

jeremy wrote:I'm glad you enjoyed them Omotesando. It says a lot about a winery when Jancis Robinson makes time out on her Australian jaunt to visit Phillip and Jeni and find out more about these wines. I realise Grigio is a dirty word to many, but if you have any interest, the 2007 was superb and the 2008 (which I ordered this morning) is apparently even better.

May I ask your impressions of the Chardonnay- Tasting notes or memory?

Cheers
jeremy

Great to hear about the 2007/2008 Grigio's. Well after NZ Sauvignon's start(ed) dying, Gris and Grigios are bound to have their time for a while. Nothing's a dirty word. I love Grigio, Pinot Blancs and Marsannes and Chenin Blancs. I love Loire Sauvignons but can't stand NZ ones. So what's the problem? Seriously, if we follow what the ordinary folks thinks is cool to drink, then we might as well call drinking an out of trend Chardonnay dirty! Hence my comment that, I hope this doesn't continue as I'm hoping to see some French beating Chardonnays from this country. (implying my preference for French Chards in general).

Don't have a tasting note for the 2005 Curly Flat Chardonnay although I remember exactly where and when I had it last time. From memory slightly restrained nose, pale yellow though still too new world ripe for my liking (which is an unfair comment) and still showing primary fruits like nectarine and apricot, creamy, toast but really not much oak. I actually really enjoyed it but it was too drinkable and slippery?

As a comparison with similar priced Chards, I guess I liked the Tarrawarra Chardonnay 2005 a little bit more, with its more complex structure revealing its many facades slowly in the palate. Not as fruit driven and slight minerality, interesting oak character reminds me of Frenchies. Has a lingering acidic and muesli like taste probably more relatable to a sherry for me. Probably won't be as popular with ladies though, because someone trying it thought the finish a bit strange?

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:29 am

Thanks for the reply Omotesando. All points well made and I just enjoy hearing what others are getting out of wines I like myself. Finally, I don't think "too New World" is unfair because you thought to add "for my taste". In fact, that was one of the things I was wondering about from your initial post.

Cheers
jeremy