I recently tried the following assorted pinot noirs which were from various years. They varied quite considerably due to age and location but may give you an idea which labels to keep an eye on. Remember, particularly from boutique wineries the quality may vary from year to year and also among other things the climatic conditions will effect the vintage
Short tasting notes are as follows:
2016 TOLLEY ELITE PINOT NOIR, ADELAIDE HILLS
Light in colour – a young wine with a full mouth feel but a lightweight finish
Wine Commander rating 14/20
2015 HODDLES CREEK ESTATE, YARRA VALLEY
Again light in colour. Hot red fruit cherries with just a hint of savoury overtones. Short finish.
WC rating 13.5 /20
2014 POOLES ROCK PREMIERE PINOT NOIR, TASMANIA
Savoury nose, with dark red brick colour, Full bodied with black fruit and savoury characters. A long dry finish, well balanced and will improve with age
WC rating 18/20
2013 HELENS HILL RANGE VIEW RESERVE SINGLE CLONE PINOT NOIR, YARRA VALLEY
Nice savoury flavour profile but fruit overpowered by tannin. Very very dry finish.
WC rating 13.5/20
1999 MOUNT MARY VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR (MAGNUM), YARRA VALLEY
Red to brown in colour with aged nose. Surprisingly good fruit with soft tannins and a long finish. Magnificent condition for 18 year pinot but in a magnum. Breath 1 hour.
WC rating 17/20
2012 PARINGA ESTATE PINOT NOIR, MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Hot sweet fruit and bright cherry in colour .needs more time.
WC rating 15/20
2012 STICKS VINEYARD SELECT PINOT, YARRA VALLEY
This single vineyard wine was still closed on the nose. Somewhat tannic through the mid palate but has good length and great finish. This wine would benefit from being decanted.
WC Rating 15/20
2002 BANNOCKBURN STUART PINOT NOIR, GEELONG
Colour ruby/brown. Was decanted before serving.
Restrained nose with not much fruit. However this wine had good flavours on the palate with a lingering finish. No need for further cellaring. Drink now!
WC rating 16/20
2011 PARADIGM HILL L’AMI SAGE PINOT NOIR, MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Red to brown in colour. hot fruit, nose and red cherry flavour. Easily pick it as a typical Mornington Peninsula wine.
WC rating 14/20
2008 WEDGETAIL ESTATE RESERVE PINOT NOIR, YARRA VALLEY
Light red brick colour. Jammy hot fruit flavour with slightly sour finish.
WC rating 14/20
2013 INGRAM RD PINOT NOIR, YARRA VALLEY
Savoury complex nose. Dark red colour. Red berry fruit palate. Short finish
WC rating 14/20
Summary: This random tasting has not changed my view that the best reliable pinot noir regions in Australasia remain the cool climate areas of Tasmania and Central Otago in NZ.
