This wine had its origin in the observation by an external consultant that we had ten barriques (out of the equivalent of 72) with truly outstanding and world class flavour potential.  On this basis, these barrels were blended into a special bottling using a family name.  The resulting wine has a higher-than-normal proportion of new French oak, (40%), and a predominance of fruit from our Dijon clones and the top-most rows, above 700 metres, although every area is represented.  We were looking for varietal definition, power, balance and complexity.  New oak demands great fruit, and in a lesser year than 2008, or with younger vines, we would not have dared to concentrate so much.

As the wine ages, we are seeing our strategy for this wine starting to pay off, as the rich and varied fruit aromas and silky Pinot Noir tannins combine with the complementary oak and then unfold on the palate to give the true 'peacock’s tail' effect of a great Pinot Noir. This wine is just beginning to drink well now (and to climb up the medal placings) but the wine requires several years of careful ageing to realise its full potential.

Reviews

The diversity of comment from the reviews below (Gourmet Traveller Wine, Oct/Nov 2009) underlines the complexities and ageing potential of this great red wine.

Huon Hooke: 'Strawberry and other berries in its perfume. Sappiness suggests whole-bunch fermentation. Savoury, gamey flavours. Fleshy, yet with abundant tannins'.

Peter Forrestal: 'Brambleberry and mulberry, This is a big style of Pinot indeed'.

Debbie Pearce: '... The wine has the depth of fruit to match its weight. It should develop in bottle for several years'.

Review by James Halliday, December 2009: Some first stage colour development; an aromatic and spicy bouquet, then a palate with excellent drive and length, offering spicy/savoury nuances woven through black cherry and plum fruit..

Rating 94 - Drink 2014

Food Matches

Rich, gamey foods such as jugged hare, squab, quail, wild duck, kangaroo and casseroles. Grilled Atlantic salmon.

Awards

View the awards for this wine, as well as the awards for all our other wines...