The Pinot Noir & Grenache Thread

[ste667]

I can't remember who sells it but if ring the winery they will tell you.

mycellars.com.au have all the Mike Press range at good prices

 

[ripsnorta]

Buzz, have noted the Mike Press 2015. Where can I buy this in Adelaide to try it out.....

Thanks all. SQ

The Parade Cellars (in the arcade next to the Norwood Foodland) usually stock the various Mikes Press offerings. They are usually around the $13-16 a bottle mark depending on the variety.

 

[qaz]

Thanks for that Wozza. Will add it to the list to try. Lucky I have a few weeks before departure - and not that I'm complaining about being the taste tester at all!

Qantas epiQure also have it for $42 if you want to buy a single bottle and earn some points [thread=82044](or double with the current offer)[/thread]

[post=1627810]For something cheaper, there's the 2015 Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Willowlake for ~$27 (excluding delivery/Cashrewards) from Cracka Wines using WYZABARGAIN[/post]


If you're in Adelaide today then East End Cellars has an Australian Pinot Noir Masterclass at 5-6.30pm as part of Tasting Australia ($126)

Alternatively, if you're in Sydney this weekend, then WineSquare has a major tasting of 100+ pinots with a masterclass:

- Friday: Preview Tasting @ 6-8.30pm (free, doors close 7pm, wines opened upon request)
- Saturday: Masterclass with Huon Hooke @ 11am-12.30pm ($50)
- Saturday: Major Tasting @ 1-4.30pm ($10, redeemable against purchases)

(100+ wines including Burgundian and New World Pinots along with other varietal family members Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris/Grigio and Pinot Meunier)

 

[penegal]

I did give an AFFer a bottle to review but am still waiting (hint hint)

What a slacker...

 

[Wozza]

I'm making my way through the Giant Steps Single Vineyard Series and soon to be released / just released 2016 vintage Pinot Noirs.

First up, is this:

Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
(https://www.giantstepswine.com.au/shop/2016-giant-steps-applejack-pinot-noir)


Giving a Wozza 94-95 ($50 cellar door, less pre-release to certain members), my initial thoughts were:

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/67803081

"Privileged to try a pre-release of one of Australia's rising Pinot stars. Steve Flamsteed's Single Vineyard Series have been scoring big, renowned for their fruit purity and Green credentials. The close planted, Applejack Vineyard in that Series sits in the cooler climes of the Upper Yarra.

The dark, but translucent cherry colour. Leads to a bright, sweet mix of cherry, strawberry, double cream and hints of undergrowth and French herbs. The medium-bodied palate is pristine. A seamless mix of those flavours quickly builds to an undergrowthy, spicy mid-palate wave, with a nice line of fennel, adding interest. The finish lingers delicately and assuredly, leading you back for more. It's effortless and interesting. For now, it gets a Wozza 94/100 (4.0) from me. But it's easy to see this score rising with 5-7 years bottle age."


More to follow with the other Single Vineyard Series over the coming weeks.

Cheers, Wozza

 

[tgh]

Enjoying the second last of my Squidgy's tonight.

As per DL's earlier comments..drinking beautifully.

…aaaaand..

far, far above a very ordinary Serrat consumed a few days ago

My visiting International family also thought the Serrat a very ordinary wine.

( Otoh , I found a last, lonely, Atticus for our final dinner at home and it was a universal hit )

 

[qaz]

Perhaps save some time (and money ) for this next January:

2014 Vintage Burgundy Grand Cru Horizontal @ Prince Wine Store (South Melbourne) - 2017 event summary (2013 vintage)

Not just pinot, but tomorrow they have a [post=1630911]Southern Tasmania & Adelaide Hills tasting with Shaw & Smith, Derwent Estate, Tolpuddle, Pooley, Glaetzer-Dixon, Murdoch Hills, Hersey Vineyards, Sailor Seeks Horse[/post]

Enjoying the second last of my Squidgy's tonight.

As per DL's earlier comments..drinking beautifully.

…aaaaand..

far, far above a very ordinary Serrat consumed a few days ago

My visiting International family also thought the Serrat a very ordinary wine.

interesting

 

[tgh]

Ah well .. you know how it is with opinions, and all my taste buds are probably in my big toe..

 

[puppysparkes]

A couple of faves

I'm on good terms with the local cellar. I get the max discount ordinarily applied for a case. That's probably a bad thing.

 

[mini2]

Had the Mike Press 2015 last night, that thing needs quite a bit of air time for it to open up. I normally take a sip as soon as I open a bottle and the thoughts of let's tip this down the drain did cross my mind but it was much better after an hour. Slots in right between Punt Road and Stoiner for 2/3 of their price.

 

[qaz]

Like Tolpuddle previously, the 2015 Shaw + Smith has divided critics, being rated only 90+pts by WineFront in contrast to 96/97pts from others...

[post=1630236]If you’re not in Sydney for the WineSquare pinot tasting or Prince Wine Store’s Shaw + Smith + Tolpuddle masterclass[/post],
then myCellars and PWS are perhaps the cheapest places to buy it at ~$41

myCellars also has the 2015 Tolpuddle for ~$70 which PWS can price match, but AusCellardoor has it for ~$63 with a 10% discount code

Had the Mike Press 2015 last night, that thing needs quite a bit of air time for it to open up. I normally take a sip as soon as I open a bottle and the thoughts of let's tip this down the drain did cross my mind but it was much better after an hour. Slots in right between Punt Road and Stoiner for 2/3 of their price.

Thanks, I've only ever had Mike Press shiraz - where do you place the 2012 Squitchy Lane and 2015 Hoddles Creek with those pinots?

 

[beefarmer]

Eddystone Pinot 2015. This one might be right up your aisle Steady. Had it in March as I peruse my wine imbibement notes and it was amazingly good. Well, why should I be amazed when the previous vintage was a knockout.

Had one recently Steady?

 

[Steady]

Eddystone Pinot 2015. This one might be right up your aisle Steady. Had it in March as I peruse my wine imbibement notes and it was amazingly good. Well, why should I be amazed when the previous vintage was a knockout.

Had one recently Steady?

I've not had any Eddystone Pinots BF, I see them around, just never picked one up.

I will keep my eyes out for a '14

 

[JohnM]

A few years back I went through a major Pinot stage.

In recent weeks I've opened the last of my '08s. Here's the evidence:



A few others that I didn't keep the bottles for:

Bass Philip Premium. I don't know what the rave is about Bass Philip. For me their Pinots have consistently been underwhelming.

Ata Rangi. Up there in the NZ cluster.

Craggy Range Te Muna Rd. Ditto.

Gibbston Valley Reserve. Ditto.

The verdict?

Well, NZ wins hands-down across the board. The Australians (all light-bodied), while not bad, had faded and mostly lost their true Pinot character (particularly and maybe surprisingly the Main Ridge Half Acre).

Conclusion? Simple: Australian Pinots just don't rate for aging potential against the NZ offerings. Drink 'em young peeps!

 

[RooFlyer]

Any Tas pinots amongst the Aussies, JohnM? Climate most like NZ.

 

[JohnM]

Any Tas pinots amongst the Aussies, JohnM? Climate most like NZ.

Not among the '08s. A while back I went through a time of trying a range of Tassies - and around that era. I tended to buy a range rather than a bunch of the same to age because I was wanting to scope them more broadly. I have no Tassies currently put away. I'd still say the NZs are a dimension well above - although mind you, the NZs I listed are pretty high level from well-established and well-resourced producers, not boutiques. That helps a lot.

 

[Wozza]

Here's the next Giant Steps pre-release / just released Single Series Pinot review. This time for:

the Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016


On Vivino and Winosphere I posted the following 93 point review:

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/68207107

"Privileged to try a pre-release of one of Australia's rising Pinot stars. Steve Flamesteed's Single Vineyard Series have been scoring big, renowned for their fruit purity and Green credentials. The revered Sexton Vineyard in that Series sits in the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges, in the Yarra Valley.

This is so clean. A more glossy (more oak influenced?) mouthfeel than the Applejack. Different flavour profile of cranberry, red berry, gummy bears, sage, a touch of wholebunch undergrowth, and a generous dollop of creamy vanilla and spice. There's some residual grapefruit / orange pith and pencil on the back palate, adding an extra dimension.

For now, I prefer the Applejack. But purists will probably prefer the Sexton. Drink 2019-2025. A Wozza 93.5/100 (3.9) from me. With more to come with 4+ years bottle age."

Looking forward to the last of the Series - the Primevera - some time next week.

 

[DaveLoftus]

Any Tas pinots amongst the Aussies, JohnM? Climate most like NZ.

Had a couple of older Tassie pinots in a visit earlier this year. The Stefano Lubiana Sasso 2008 was a little beauty and has a way to go yet. An older Pooley was really tasty too.

Cheers

Dave

 

[beefarmer]

A few years back I went through a major Pinot stage.

In recent weeks I've opened the last of my '08s. Here's the evidence:

View attachment 96972

A few others that I didn't keep the bottles for:

Bass Philip Premium. I don't know what the rave is about Bass Philip. For me their Pinots have consistently been underwhelming.

Ata Rangi. Up there in the NZ cluster.

Craggy Range Te Muna Rd. Ditto.

Gibbston Valley Reserve. Ditto.

The verdict?

Well, NZ wins hands-down across the board. The Australians (all light-bodied), while not bad, had faded and mostly lost their true Pinot character (particularly and maybe surprisingly the Main Ridge Half Acre).

Conclusion? Simple: Australian Pinots just don't rate for aging potential against the NZ offerings. Drink 'em young peeps!

Great words of advice here. Will be in the South for a week in October so will certainly indulge and look out for something with that 5-8year age in it.

 

[The Warlock]

Great words of advice here. Will be in the South for a week in October so will certainly indulge and look out for something with that 5-8year age in it.

If it's Central Otago you're heading to then I'd very much recommend

Chard Farm
Amisfield
Gibbston Valley
Felton Road

As the Pinot Highlights.