Winemaker Notes
Initially, the fruit and oak are tussling for attention, with ripe cherries and red plums eventually reaching ascendancy. Over time this amalgam will amplify the complexity and become a harmonious whole. The delicious savory and fruit flavors of the nose are reflected in the mouth-filling flavors of the palate. A glossy, showy wine with a lovely core of fine tannins providing the assured structure for longevity, depth, and length.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The “Premium” tier from this renowned Pinot producer, while still considerably pricey, is less than three times that of the Reserve, and is also a slinky, sexy wine. First comes the primary red fruit (think cherry and cranberry), then dried spices and herbs, ground black pepper, a bit of mushroomy, vineyard floor and some toast oak nuances. It both glides and prickles the tongue with tangy freshness and textural richness. Tannins are present throughout, sturdy yet fine. Drink now or cellar for at least a decade.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
South Australia is the historic heart of Australian wine, a great wine capital of the world, and home to some of the most famous regions. It produces more than 80% of Australia’s premium wine from some of the oldest vines in the world. There is an abundance of varieties and wide spectrum of styles to explore. From the rogue to refined, discover Australian wines that are far from ordinary.