There is a gentle, flowing texture and a fresh, persistent finish that makes it a pleasure to drink now, but with enough structure to reward short-term cellaring. The nose shows attractive notes of ripe plums and wild strawberries with a hint of cloves and spice. The palate displays supple red fruit flavours and soft, fine tannins. This wine has an elegant structure, silky texture and juicy acidity to give freshness and a lingering finish.
Buoyed by bright acidity and spice fragrance this is a very compelling release with finely coating tannins that extend the full length of the palate. The 2021 is an exciting wine to cellar as patrick sullivan pinot noir time will allow the more beguiling aromatic side to reveal itself to the full. This wine is a composition of sections of the original 1988 planting and the 2001 Kaye vineyard.
Previously the Charles Sturt graduate started as his career as the winemaker at Willow Creek and has had winemaking roles at Heathcote Estate, Yabby Lake and Clyde Park. At Montalto, Black’s wines have been received with much critical claim and have garnered numerous awards. Amy Oliver completed a business degree in her early 20s, with a working holiday to the UK developing a love for hospitality and the wines of the world. A corporate career followed, but wine never left her thinking, completing her WSET 3 qualification while working as a project manager. That immersion saw her permanently spin off into wine, with stints working as an assistant sommelier at Andrew McConnell’s Cutler & Co, as well as the role of head sommelier at Neil Perry’s Rockpool Dining.
Many early plantings contained some of the Bordeaux red varieties, though principally cabernet sauvignon, along with riesling, a buzz variety in the ’70s and early ’80s. Pinot noir had been planted many years earlier, in the late 1930s, in a small plot at what is now Morning Star Estate. The Restaurant at Montalto - a seasonal, multi-course set menu by Head Chef Adam Johnston, crafted with estate-grown produce and paired to our wines.
Pinot noir had never been outside the orbit of Crittenden and McIntyre, with a well-honed appreciation for the wines of Burgundy. But the data suggested that it would simply be too hot for the grape. That data proved to be incorrect, and the early evidence in their vineyards, along with the pioneering wines and mentorship of Nat White, guided a change of direction in the vineyard. On the Peninsula, the maritime climate and a supposed similarity in heat summation and the like were touted as being uncannily close to Bordeaux. A homoclime (similar climate), in other words, which has been a yardstick for selecting many New World vineyard sites, though a not an infallible one.
Black countered that recent vintages would likely play a part in that, and several of the wines were likely made to be consumed more readily – that even though there was a decently sized selection, it was still a limited survey. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with some exceptional vineyards and people across the state and produce wines that connect with our philosophy of making wine from the ground up. All of our decisions are focused on how we can do things better in order to minimise our impact on the environment.
Excellent fruit intensity, structure, pH to acid relationship and fine-grained tannins guarantee long life and excellent bottle development. From 2 parcels aged 30 to 60 years old located in Meursault and Pommard this wine is 100% destemmed with no pigeage (plunging of the cap) or remontage used in the vinification. Aged in larger 300 litre barrels and is bottled before the harvest in August so as not to impart any overt oak influence and capture all the vibrantly fresh fruit. The resulting wine is vibrant lifted and very pretty yet also quite substantial for just a basic Bourgogne level.
Subtle spicy notes of cinnamon, cardamom and star anise vie for attention. On the palate the wine is silky and fresh with bright red cherry fruit and clove and cinnamon spice. A hint of black pepper, fresh rosemary, thyme and lavender play across the tongue and the red cherry fruit lingers long. Silky tannin structure and bright red fruit acid balance the flavours and the wine is delicious and harmonious. The nose opens with red cherry, cranberry, rose petal and subtle hints of forest floor and spice. On the palate it is light to medium bodied, with soft tannins, bright acidity and layers of red fruit, earth, and savoury herbs.
Sappy, moreish and complex, this wine can be enjoyed now but will gain interest over the medium term. Elegantly structured palate, presenting refined flavours of red cherry, ripe raspberry, and subtle cranberry, complemented by nuanced layers of gentle spices, subtle black tea leaf, and earthy minerality. Polished tannins and lively acidity ensure impeccable balance and sophisticated elegance. Light and feathery, with nutty flavours, bright acidity, a fine powdery tannin texture, and a firm red cherry and red fruited finish.
Mansons Farm Pinot Noir is hand crafted in very limited quantities. Our 2016 is medium ruby red in colour with a bouquet of black cherry, savoury brown spice, and notes of baronial flower. On the palate, a dense, dark berry entry and hints of spice are supported by an elegant tannin structure. Dark cherry and spice aromas integrate nicely with a hint of forest floor (sous bois).
The tannins and acid work in harmony to give this wine structure, length and freshness. Strawberry and red cherry, a little paprika and earth, but kind of rosy too. It’s medium-bodied, red fruits with a pleasing gentle graphite tannin grip, some pomegranate tang and orange zest, with a sappy finish offering good length. A wine of distinct personality that offers plenty of drinking pleasure.
The finish is long and refined, with a delicate spiciness that lingers gracefully. This Pinot Noir exemplifies the finesse and complexity characteristic of its cool-climate origin, making it a benchmark for the varietal. A full fragrant nose of juniper, rose petal, and plum meld with spice notes of cardamon and sumac. The palate concentration is exceptional, a hallmark of a small yielding year on the Martinborough Terrace.
This Pinot is deep ruby red with brilliant clarity and aromas of black cherry, cranberries, cola root, and spice. With time, more undergrowth and savage characters come to the fore. The palate has a core of red fruits and gentle oak spices that lead to a structured and generous finish.
A graceful Pinot Noir with persistence of flavour that will balance well with wood roasted quail and grilled radicchio. Now over 30 years old, this vineyard is just now reaching its stride in producing hauntingly unique wines that few vineyards can parallel. The 2019 Bishop Creek opens up with wet stone, crushed granite and generous brambly blackberry. Underlying the fruit and minerality are subtle roasted meat and game aroma, toasted nut and a general savory essence as the wine begins to crack open in the glass. This wine will age for years to come as the tannins integrate and the fruit fleshes out in the bottle. Extraordinary colour – deep crimson, magenta with an almost opaque heart.
La Crema Pinot Noir 2017
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5 min read
