A couple of 96 Point Halliday rated Pinots

Welcome to the latest edition of Pinot Confidential the newsletter for those who share our passion for Pinot Noir.

In this edition we feature two standout examples of Australian Pinot Noir that both received 96 point ratings from James Halliday in his latest Top 100 Wines. Both of these wines are available at great prices and are likely to sell out quickly on the back of Halliday's glowing reviews.

We also have included a great value example from Ara, who are quickly establishing themselves as a rising star of the New Zealand wine industry. Available at $19.90, the 2008 Ara Pathway Pinot Noir is a great little everyday drinking wine that delivers everything you could ask for from a $20 Pinot.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Pinot Confidential. 

The team at Auscellardoor

Ph - 1800 088 022

www.auscellardoor.com.au  

2008 Ashton Hills Piccadilly Pinot Noir - $29.90

Piccadilly Valley is Ashton Hills' entry level or 'village' wine with all grapes coming from the Adelaide Hills' coldest, wettest and most humid wine sub-region, the Piccadilly Valley. About half the grapes for this wine comes from 16 of Ashton Hill's own selections with the remaining grapes purchased from two neighbouring growers. The three vineyards have amongst them the oldest pinot vines in 'The Valley' and all are managed in such a way to ensure small crops and maximum flavour concentration.

"96 Points. Owner/winemaker Stephen George was one of the pioneers of pinot noir in the Adelaide Hills. It shows some colour development; as always, has an extremely expressive and complex bouquet with forest undergrowth and spicy red fruits; the palate in a precise replay of the bouquet, with great length and immaculate balance. From: Adelaide Hills, SA. Drink: to 2016" - James Halliday, Top 100 Wines, The Weekend Australian, November 14-15, 2009.

"Grape ripeness at Ashton Hills in 2008 coincided with a 15-day record breaking heat-wave in March. Because all our varieties and clones ripened at the same time we picked everything and stockpiled it for a week or so at 4 degrees celsius before even thinking about crushing. (Usually vintage is rather more relaxed with picking on one day followed by crushing the next.)... The result for the 2008 Piccadilly Valley wine is a lot of flavour and a little more alcohol than usual. Due to the use of some bunch stalks in the fermenting wine there's also a bit more tannin. Being a natural preservative this will extend the wine's cellaring potential." - Notes from Ashton Hills.

2008 Port Phillip Estate Pinot Noir - $32.90

Port Phillip Estate's Sandro Mosele has established himself as one of Australia's leading Pinot winemakers having made some exceptional examples for Kooyong, Scorpo and of course Port Phillip Estate. The newly released 2008 Port Phillip Estate Pinot Noir will only build Sandro's reputation as a maker of top class Pinot Noir. Only very limited stocks of this wine are available.  

"96 Points. The November opening of the multi-million dollar winery, restaurant and cellar door was a landmark event; happily, the wines are of commensurately high quality. Rich plum and cherry fruit on the bouquet appears first on the palate, followed by spicy, savoury tannins that give length and authority. From: Mornington Peninsula, Vic. Drink: to 2019" - James Halliday, Top 100 Wines, The Weekend Australian, November 14-15 2009. 

"I like the direction this wine is heading in. It’s made in a more serious, tannic, and dry style than it once was - though I’ve long been a fan of the estate. There’s a bitterness to this wine that I don’t mind at all, especially alongside food, and especially with cellaring in mind. It’s otherwise dry and black cherried, chalky and nicely focused through the finish. It’s too young to drink now, but it’s a safe bet for the cellar. Rated : 93+ Points Alcohol : 14% Price : $37 Closure : Diam Drink : 2011 - 2016" - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.

Finding a New Zealand Pinot Noir that offers both quality and value has always been a challenge, however in recent years this has become easier thanks to the likes of Ara Wines. The 2008 Ara Pathway Pinot Noir has just arrived in Australia and sets a new benchmark for 'good value' Pinot Noir. This wine offers plenty of varietal integrity; cherry and plum flavours, a soft mouthfeel and some classy subtle tannins bringing it all together.

"This has fresh, bright cherry fruit, a little spice and earth and good lively aromatics. The palate sits in a zesty style with raspberry and wild cherry flavour, bright acidity and fine easy tannins. Refreshing stuff!. 90 Points. " - Nick Stock, The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010.  

"Shared with a friend recently, this soft fruity pinot noir more than met our expectations, brilliantly over delivering on value for money with bright cherry and plum flavours" - Joelle Thomson, February, 20, 2009“

"A lovely blend of fruit ... aromatic, sweet cherry and berry flavours, integrated spice, good oak and silky tannins.” - Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, 25 July 2009.

"A magical feast that puts New Zealand’s standout variety in a shining light.” - John Fordham, Sunday Telegraph, 9 August 2009.