The Pinot Noir & Grenache Thread

[Delectable Blue]

Anyone tried Bay of Fires 2015?

Yes, I tried it at the Tassie Red Wine Weekend a fortnight ago. I was a little underwhelmed by it, especially when tasted against all the other Tassie pinot's on offer. I found the fruit just a little too sweet, which made it taste like a very commercially focused wine. The rest of the wine was okay, but the sweetness really upset the balance for me.

 

[Steady]

I was a little underwhelmed by it, especially when tasted against all the other Tassie pinot's on offer.

And what were your picks?

 

[Delectable Blue]

And what were your picks?

For me the standouts were:

- Gala Estate 2013 Constable Amos Pinot
- Grey Sands 2010 Glengarry Pinot
- Craigie Knowe 2015 Pinot
- White Rock 2015 Pinot

Also, the White Rock 2016 Dornfelder deserves a mention. Whilst it is not a pinot, it is very pinot like, and was a real standout wine, spectacularly bright and vibrant - just delightful. Also I was very impressed with some of the Merlot and Merlot blends. I wasn't expecting to see the level of ripeness in the fruit from cool climate wines. Some of them were very bordeaux'esc.

Note, I haven't finished writing up all my notes yet, and I don't have them with me at work, so this list may be incomplete.

 

[georgehall]

Pinot Heaven was a fantastic event. Love that bottle shop.

Didn't get anywhere near tasting all 84 wines, but of the maybe 40 I did taste there were some tremendous Pinots on display, covering all the way from Burgundy to Martinbourough and everywhere in between. There was even a couple of Italians (one which was awful...) and a Californian Pinot in there.

Ocuple of QPR Pinots, and a couple less so affordable but very special. The Amisfield was my pick of the day, but the Ata Rangi, Curly Flat, Dexter, Port Phillip Estate, and Helens Hill reserve were all fantastic.

If they do the mini rehash like they did last year I highly recommend it.

 

[qaz]

Cracka also again has the 2015 Hardys HRB for $26.99, or now $18.66 using the [post=1618421]$50 voucher[/post], excluding delivery and Cashrewards
https://www.crackawines.com.au/product/2015-mystery-96-point-premium-pinot-noir

Available again (pm me for new code) - anyone had it yet?

for members this month, Dan Murphy's has any two of 2015 De Bortoli Estate Grown Yarra Valley Pinot Noir or Chardonnay for $32 (less 8% cashback via CashRewards)

This is also back (though unfortunately only 3.5% Cashrewards now)

Yes, I tried it at the Tassie Red Wine Weekend a fortnight ago. I was a little underwhelmed by it, especially when tasted against all the other Tassie pinot's on offer. I found the fruit just a little too sweet, which made it taste like a very commercially focused wine. The rest of the wine was okay, but the sweetness really upset the balance for me.

Thanks - seems I'll probably have to try for myself and find someone to help share them

For me the standouts were:

- Gala Estate 2013 Constable Amos Pinot
- Grey Sands 2010 Glengarry Pinot
- Craigie Knowe 2015 Pinot
- White Rock 2015 Pinot

Craig Knowe was good when I had them a while ago - unfortunately I missed Gala when in Tassie early this year

Pinot Heaven was a fantastic event. Love that bottle shop.

Didn't get anywhere near tasting all 84 wines, but of the maybe 40 I did taste there were some tremendous Pinots on display, covering all the way from Burgundy to Martinbourough and everywhere in between. There was even a couple of Italians (one which was awful...) and a Californian Pinot in there.

Ocuple of QPR Pinots, and a couple less so affordable but very special. The Amisfield was my pick of the day, but the Ata Rangi, Curly Flat, Dexter, Port Phillip Estate, and Helens Hill reserve were all fantastic.

If they do the mini rehash like they did last year I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the report - I forgot to post about it, but did anyone make it to the PWS Burgundy 2015 Part One Tasting (wines/offer)?

They also have ~15% off Hurley 2015

 

[qaz]

[post=1645885]As posted in the Qantas epiQure thread[/post]:

- 30% off Willow Creek Pinot Noir 2013 $27.99
- 26% off Moorooduc Estate Pinot Noir 2013 $29
- 30% off Scorpo Pinot Noir 2013 $33.50

Also Cellar One has Stonier Reserve 2013 for $36.67 - pm me for an invite with $20 credit

 

[qaz]

Huon Hooke: A parade of pinot noir, Pinot noir passion, SIPNOT revisited

(point scores available via here eg. 2016 Stonier 93pts )

 

[qaz]

2015 Montalto Tuerong Block Pinot Noir $59.99 @ My Wine Guy (pm me for $30 referral code)

- [post=1644027]97pts, #1 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir @ Gourmet Traveller Wine[/post]
- Trophy @ 2016 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards (Pinot Noir)
- 95pts Huon Hooke
- 5-star Christopher Hayes (Mornington Sub-regional Pinot Noir Tasting)
- 89pts Treve Ring @ Gismondi on Wine (Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration)

 

[qaz]

Two Tonnes Dog & Wolf Pinot Noir 2016 has just been rated 96+ by Mike Bennie on Winefront - equal to but cheaper than 2015 Hoddles Creek 1er
($42 PWS, $44 Moreish, $45 direct)

(97pt Yarraloch Stephanie's Dream Pinot Noir 2013 still seems to be available at Randall’s and Barrique)

 

[Wozza]

Two Tonnes Dog & Wolf Pinot Noir 2016 has just been rated 96+ by Mike Bennie on Winefront - equal to but cheaper than 2015 Hoddles Creek 1er
($42 PWS, $44 Moreish, $45 direct)

(97pt Yarraloch Stephanie's Dream Pinot Noir 2013 still seems to be available at Randall’s and Barrique)

I spotted that Two Tonne review and am going to buy. A 96 from Wine Front at $42 is too good to pass up. It even has a crazy drinking window for a PN, making a 6 pack an easy option.

Speaking of Wine Front, I immediately jumped with an online cellar door purchase of a town, winery, winemaker and wine I'd never heard of before. It's not a Pinot, but you'd never guess what is was blind (it was about as close to a Pinot Noir I've come across for an Aussie red that wasn't a PN):

the Ravensworth Wines Shiraz Viognier 2016



Order — Ravensworth Wines

With a gushing review and 95 points and Mike Beenie saying the winemaker is one of his top 5 next generation Australian winemakers who will truly create a lasting legacy for Australian fine wine. I was sold at that comment. It's also only $38 a bottle plus $10 delivery (it arrived the next day via Aus Post).

Even though it was super young, and I wasn't trying it under my usual conditions, you could tell it had serious class and great potential written all over it.

It's a huge recommendation from me to all my fellow Pinot Noir lovers who follow this thread.

 

[tielec]

I spotted that Two Tonne review and am going to buy. A 96 from Wine Front at $42 is too good to pass up. It even has a crazy drinking window for a PN, making a 6 pack an easy option.

Speaking of Wine Front, I immediately jumped with an online cellar door purchase of a town, winery, winemaker and wine I'd never heard of before. It's not a Pinot, but you'd never guess what is was blind (it was about as close to a Pinot Noir I've come across for an Aussie red that wasn't a PN):

the Ravensworth Wines Shiraz Viognier 2016

View attachment 99081

Order — Ravensworth Wines

With a gushing review and 95 points and Mike Beenie saying the winemaker is one of his top 5 next generation Australian winemakers who will truly create a lasting legacy for Australian fine wine. I was sold at that comment. It's also only $38 a bottle plus $10 delivery (it arrived the next day via Aus Post).

Even though it was super young, and I wasn't trying it under my usual conditions, you could tell it had serious class and great potential written all over it.

It's a huge recommendation from me to all my fellow Pinot Noir lovers who follow this thread.

I concur. Very exciting shiraz and the best I have had this year.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Speaking of Wine Front, I immediately jumped with an online cellar door purchase of a town, winery, winemaker and wine I'd never heard of before. It's not a Pinot, but you'd never guess what is was blind (it was about as close to a Pinot Noir I've come across for an Aussie red that wasn't a PN):

the Ravensworth Wines Shiraz Viognier 2016



Order — Ravensworth Wines

With a gushing review and 95 points and Mike Beenie saying the winemaker is one of his top 5 next generation Australian winemakers who will truly create a lasting legacy for Australian fine wine. I was sold at that comment. It's also only $38 a bottle plus $10 delivery (it arrived the next day via Aus Post).

Even though it was super young, and I wasn't trying it under my usual conditions, you could tell it had serious class and great potential written all over it.

It's a huge recommendation from me to all my fellow Pinot Noir lovers who follow this thread.

First time I've taken your suggestions Wozza! Fingers crossed. Your reputation is on the line now, Mate.

 

[qaz]

Dr Edge are the other Tasmanian pinot noirs to have recently received rave reviews, rating 93-96pts on Winefront by Gary Walsh and 96-97pts by James Halliday in The Weekend Australian Magazine

Direct is the best and cheapest way to buy them, where a mixed six pack of all is $300 delivered

I spotted that Two Tonne review and am going to buy. A 96 from Wine Front at $42 is too good to pass up. It even has a crazy drinking window for a PN, making a 6 pack an easy option.

Nice to find and have you on Winefront

Speaking of Wine Front, I immediately jumped with an online cellar door purchase of a town, winery, winemaker and wine I'd never heard of before. It's not a Pinot, but you'd never guess what is was blind (it was about as close to a Pinot Noir I've come across for an Aussie red that wasn't a PN):

the Ravensworth Wines Shiraz Viognier 2016

With a gushing review and 95 points and Mike Beenie saying the winemaker is one of his top 5 next generation Australian winemakers who will truly create a lasting legacy for Australian fine wine. I was sold at that comment. It's also only $38 a bottle plus $10 delivery (it arrived the next day via Aus Post).

Even though it was super young, and I wasn't trying it under my usual conditions, you could tell it had serious class and great potential written all over it.

It's a huge recommendation from me to all my fellow Pinot Noir lovers who follow this thread.

Yes, [post=1466928]Ravensworth SV[/post] is [post=1490601]good value[/post] - the [post=1516542]2015 was available for $26.15[/post] last year

- A bit on the side
- Odd couple: meet the winemakers at Clonakilla and Ravensworth

 

[Wozza]

First time I've taken your suggestions Wozza! Fingers crossed. Your reputation is on the line now, Mate.

I'm pretty confident, TR TMA. Especially if you like a lighter, more focussed, European style of Red. (And you're reading this thread)!

If you don't like, I'm sure your Brissie wine loving friends will share the rest of the case with you. So you are not out of pocket for the remainder.

Looking forward to your thoughts on it ...

Cheers, Wozza

 

[TheRealTMA]

First time I've taken your suggestions Wozza! Fingers crossed. Your reputation is on the line now, Mate.

Ok. Wine arrived, left for four days to settle, opened first bottle tonight.



Hmm. Very young yet, 2016. Spice berry nose, light wine with white pepper and notable Viognier rose sweetness, medium depth, medium finish. Yes a little like a soft Pinot but a little lacking in depth for me. Nice quaffing wine. Will throw in cellar for a few years but I'd be surprised if it lasted very long since, to me, the tannin and acid structure are not strong enough to handle anything but short to medium cellaring.

Interesting to get a handle on your palate, Wozza.

Actually somewhat like an Italian Shiraz (Syrah) we had in Cortona a month ago.

Be interesting to see how it goes in 6 months!

You show me yours and I'll show you mine, Wozza.

 

[Steady]

An '06 Escarpment for me tonight

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Last three nights have managed to get through:
- Barossa Old Vine Company 2002 shiraz
- Tahbilk Reserve Cabernet 1994
- Yarra Yering Dry Red #1 1999

I think the Tahbilk was the pick of the three, but it's a close run thing. All three had great balance of primary fruit flavours and secondary flavours coming through, smooth tannins and lovely long finish. Really hard to pick one over another.

Also tasted the 2012 Penfolds Grange at the TWE evening (it's a hard life having to drink wine and go to wine tastings!) - opulent yet restrained at this young stage. You can tell it's good, but is it $750 good? For that price you can get 7-8 bottles of really good wine and spread your risk somewhat.

 

[qaz]

Anyone had Palliser Estate Pinot Noir 2014 which JD Cellars has for $29.98?

 

[qaz]

Thank you (and @Steady) - just trying to decide between it and/or 2013 Stonier Reserve from CellarOne

Bay of Fires 2015 certainly seems to have won some bling:
https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_908498/bay-of-fires-pinot-noir

I unfortunately missed out on the Bay of Fires 2015

Any chance someone in Melbourne might have one or two spare and be kind enough to swap/trade/etc.?

I'd sooner rather buy the Kupe, Felton Road and Dry River at flagship NZ levels that I've tried.

Prince Wine Store currently have the 2015 Escarpment wines on special, with the best price for the single vineyard growers at $60 each - the Kupe and standard are cheaper at WineStar, being $69.99 and $39.99, respectively, though PWS will price-match for those who don't want to buy a dozen for free delivery


Catching up on [post=1648628]old news[/post]...

- Main Ridge Estate - Pinot without ego (just found out that a friend is cousins with the new owners )
- Pinot celebration shows off the power of the personal touch
- Ode to Pinot Noir
- No more pot luck with pinots
- Pinot season is now
- A bit on the side

 

[qaz]

Prince Wine Store currently have the 2015 Escarpment wines on special, with the best price for the single vineyard growers at $60 each - the Kupe and standard are cheaper at WineStar, being $69.99 and $39.99, respectively, though PWS will price-match for those who don't want to buy a dozen for free delivery

Today only, PWS has 20% off wine (excluding specials/prearrivals) with PWSVIP2017, making the single vineyard growers now $57.60 - they can refund the $2.40 if you ask nicely

Other picks:

- Clyde Park D Block Pinot Noir 2015 $60
- Dr Edge Pinot Noir 2016 $45.60
- Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir 2015 $44.80

Alternatively, they might be able to price-match (retrospectively):

2015 Escarpment Kupe Martinborough Pinot Noir $67.49 @ My Wine Guy with EOFYSALE 10% off ends today

[post=1658070]$100 off $350+ spend @ Just Wines with LESS100[/post] ends today ($9 delivery, 3.2% Cashrewards):

- Escarpment 2015 single vineyard growers $52.33
- Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2013 $47.32