Another look at ‘Mission Impossible’
Reg and I ‘selected a line-up of 10 Pinots Noir, plus two older ones to see how they age.
The top wines were
TarraWarra Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2010 – $20 at Dan Ms or Winestar
42 ⁰ South Pinot Noir 2009, Tasmania – $22 at Dan Ms
Punt Road Emperor’s Prize Pinot Noir 2010, Yarra Valley – $14 at Dan M’s
(Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 – over our $25 limit)
The group felt that the 2009 was the best of these, and one of the top 3 wines in the tasting. I agree but liked the 2008 just as much – both are very Burgundian in character, with the 2008 ready to drink. The 2010 was disappointing, just as I found the last time I checked. This is the basic label of Frogmore Creek in Tassie.
The Stonier was just as light and simple as in my last encounter, while the Yering Station Pinot was a touch better than I remembered. Still not a great Pinot in my view. The Emperor’s Prize from Punt Road was the standout bargain, not a great Pinot in my view but at least offering authentic flavours for the modest $14 price.
The Martinborough did not appeal to us, while the Ana Hera 2007 was still very much alive and kicking – this was always a big wine. It was also good value for $17 but Dan M has decided not to stock it any longer, and there seems to be no other source of supply.
The Lowburn Ferry 2010 is a $40 wine and a lovely Pinot Noir from Central Otago that’s still evolving. The Bay of Fires Pinot Noir 2011 won the trophy for best Pinot Noir at the recent Sydney show, then the trophy for best red of show, then the trophy for best wine of show. Reg likes it better than I do and thinks it will improve with time. I think it’s too dry and herbaceous and too hard on the finish. Lacks succulence.Can’t understand the 3 trophies.
The sixfootsix Pinot didn’t find a lot of support but the TarraWarra was pretty much everyone’s favourite. That made me pretty happy since I’ve sung its praises and put my money where my mouth is.
Kim