Tasting Note No.47
Finally got around to drink this wine.
James and Suzanne Halliday founded the property in 1985. Halliday's ambition to make a great Burgundy style wine, clearly shows here. Of the 1998 vintage release, only 20% made it into the "Reserve" blend. They've harvested less than 2 tonnes of grapes per hectare. Most of the grapes came from the 13 years old vines of the Amphitheatre A Block vineyard. This wine spent 10 months in a mix of new and older French oak barrels. Alc.14% vol.
At first, the advanced colour gave me a fright, it looked much older than 6 years with a slight orange rim. After the first swirl the high alcohol just rose from my glass. On the nose it showed fragrant cherries, toasty oak and strawberry candy. The palate however, as expected, delivered the goods. Excellent, concentrated black cherry flavours mixed with fruits of the forest and strawberry jam. Excellent and funky smoky flavours followed from the oak. Very smooth and polished, it was very easy to 'polish it off' in half an hour with a friend.
The hot vintage condition showed through but the wine was saved by it's balance, richness and harmony. A very satisfying and lovely wine at it's absolute peak. I've really enjoyed it with sourdough bread and Adair's raw milk cheese.
This wine is definitely the result of focussed winemaking and an excellent example of Victorian Pinot Noir.
It cost me AU $60 but I didn't mind, it was worth it.
Cheers,
Attila
Tasted:August 2004