The Pinot Noir & Grenache Thread

[boomy]

Not 100% sure but they do have the 14 for sale as well so it may be just that reason?

I've had a few of their Pinots and they've always stacked up ok.

I took a punt and ordered the 2012.

Since all the Pinots bought in Tassie last week still need some cellaring time I need something to drink now

 

[Buzzard]

Just purchased a dozen.
At about $13.33/ea Inc freight it will be interesting to compare against the Mike Press which IIRC cost $15.

 

[Wozza]

Me, AnonymousCoward and Alzoam managed to convince Katy to try some Pinot Noir at last night's Cellardoor.co TWE members night! She managed two, I think!

The pick for me on price v quality was the Seppelt Drumborg Pinot Noir 2014. Great wine for the (Cellardoor.co) price. The Coldstream Hills Amphitheatre 2013 was stunning, but the tiny vintage numbers made this wine way too expensive ($150 a bottle) for the experience.

These Pinots did inspire me to reach for the Hardy's Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir 2013 I had been eyeing off for some time since picking it up in a $50 a bottle Langton's Mystery Pack this January. This must be in the upper bracket for Aussie Pinots based on what I experienced.



My tasting notes concluded:

http://http://www.cellartracker.com/w?2258255

http://www.vivino.com/wines/11453666

"Fantastic Pinot to help burn another Midnight candle of work! This Pinot Noir is part of the Eileen Hardy series, created in homage to the great matriarch of the Hardy winemaking family. The fruit is sourced from old vines in the Yarra Valley (70%) and Coal River, Tasmania (30%), with 30/25% respectively whole bunched in the ferment. Halliday gave it a fine 96.
The nose and palate are beautiful as briary Summer bramble fruits, mulberries, blueberries, sweet vanilla bean pods, double cream, minerals and delicate spices delight the senses. The palate is light-medium-bodied, but with fine, smooth mid-palate weight, line and length. Very nice. A Wozza 95/100 (4.2/5.0) from me."

If you can afford the $70 outlay (and guessing, without looking, this can be found cheaper than its RRP), I'd say this is worth it.

 

[Rugby]

Great thread idea - Mrs Rugby and I will be getting into the theme next week with a lunch at Pegasus Bay. We went last year and are going back for seconds.

The 2008 Pinot Noir was fantastic.

 

[Buzzard]

All's good, Katy washed her mouth out with some 95 Black Shiraz at Rockford today

 

[vedder50]

Cracked open a bottle of the squitchy 2012 I received yesterday. Hard to argue with the value here at $12.50 per bottle. I wouldn't pay the RRP, but it's a nice subtle and smooth pinot.

 

[boomy]

Cracked open a bottle of the squitchy 2012 I received yesterday. Hard to argue with the value here at $12.50 per bottle. I wouldn't pay the RRP, but it's a nice subtle and smooth pinot.

I second that.

Thanks for sharing the link Teebs.

 

[Teebs]

Welcome - I agree at $30 I wouldn't pull the trigger so easily but for that price and free delivery......

 

[boomy]

Welcome - I agree at $30 I wouldn't pull the trigger so easily but for that price and free delivery......

They actually write original price $35 on the invoice

 

[Wozza]

Strong recommendation from me:

I've just been sampling the Alexander Dusty Road Pinot Noir 2014


On Vivino and Cellar Tracker I've just posted the following tasting note:

2014 Alexander Vineyards Pinot Noir Dusty Road, New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/113782475

"This is BIG by Pinot standards. In fact it's massive! This flagship Pinot Noir hails from the boutique, family owned 5h Alexander Vineyard and the rugged and breezy Martinborough region in New Zealand that is renowned the world over for its deep and concentrated Pinot Noir.

The nose is an exotic mix of black cherries, raspberries, neat alcohol, sage, crushed vanilla pods, cream and lavender as the French oak influences sing with the concentrated fruit aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, but seemingly fuller as hugely ripe, deeply concentrated, slightly drying tannins lift those fine flavours to a smooth, long and fine finish. Great wine that will no doubt cellar nicely for a good 5 years or more. A 94.5/100 (4.1/5.0) from me."

For those that might be tempted, this excellent Pinot is being sold at $39 a bottle or $35 a bottle in a six pack through Langton's: https://www.langtons.com.au/product-details/64692/1/2014/alexander-vineyard/dusty-road-pinot-noir

 

[qaz]

using CHOOSEWINE for 30% off wine in any 12pk at Wine Direct:

96pt Stonier Reserve Pinot Noir 2012 is $34.30

(you can also receive $25 credit by signing up via this referral link)

Dan Murphy's has the 2013 vintage for $49.39, as well as

92pt Helen & Joey Estate Layla Pinot Noir 2014 6pk for $99 Delivered ($16.50/bt)

Vinomofo had the 84pt 2013 vintage for $16.90

 

[sigmadelta]

I opened a Seppelt Drumborg Pinot 2013 this evening, bought from vinomofo for $30/b in a six-pack.
A light cherry colour. Quite a heady forest floor perfume it has, a flavour of sweet cherries balanced with savoury and some chewy tannins to add interest. Very moreish and to be enjoyed slowly. You might pay $40 for this normally; $30 is about right I reckon although I wouldn't feel ripped off if I paid more.

 

[Buzzard]

Just 4 of the gazillion Pinots sampled in Tassie this weekend.
From this bunch the only one I liked was the 2010 as it was more complex than the other 3.
I would still sooner the Mike Press.

 

[sigmadelta]

Buzzard, did you have a chance to try the 2011 or 2012 pooley pinot (not the single vineyard)?
I have quite a few of the 2011 and a couple of the 2012. I really like the '11 and was surprised at its fruit given the wet year. Haven't tried the '12 yet but I'll probably save it a couple more years.

 

[Buzzard]

The only ones available for tasting are the 4 pictured.

 

[boomy]

Interesting. When we were at Pooley two weeks ago they had the 2013 vintage on tasting. I thought Cooinda Vale was excellent.

 

[Buzzard]

Maybe they change what is available from time to time. Chardy was also not open for tasting today.

 

[Steady]

Interesting. When we were at Pooley two weeks ago they had the 2013 vintage on tasting. I thought Cooinda Vale was excellent.

Maybe they change what is available from time to time. Chardy was also not open for tasting today.

The host mentioned the 2013 was sold out and the 2014 was released a day or so before we arrived.

 

[DrSammyLee]

Has anyone who has done the Bottle shop concepts events (Pinot Palooza, Game of Rhones et al.) done the VIP tickets. $45 more than early bird/raven ticket. Did you find it worth the extra?
Early access is very appealing to me after dealing with the mob that was at Game of Rhones last week.

Just an update regarding the VIP tickets. I went to Game of Rhones Sydney yesterday with the VIP ticket and the summary is that it is well worth paying extra. The early 2 hour access is great, there are no lines/crowds at any of the tables you really get time to talk to the winemakers without feeling rushed. You may even get some banter between tables and winemakers trying each other's wines at the same time as you.

On top of the extra time, some winemakers have "extra" bottles under the table for the VIP crowd (i.e. Yalumba had the Octavius). You get a food voucher (smoked pork from Porteno was great) and three tastings at the "Rhone bar" with the VIP ticket. If you factor in the cost of those you're already saving a few bucks for buying it in a packaged VIP ticket rather than separately with a regular ticket.

I'll probably be doing the same at Pinot Palooza Sydney. Let me know if anyone else wants to join

 

[Major]

Just had some Spring Vale 2015 Melrose.

Fantastic wine .. lots of fruit and so easy to drink.

One of the best Pinot's I have ever had