This week saw the the launch of the 2009 edition of James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion. Each year this book is highly anticipated by wine lovers and winemakers and widely recognised as the definitive guide to the Australian wine industry. Such is James Halliday's influence, wineries that receive favourable reviews can quickly become household names and sell out their wines within days.

In this edition of Pinot Confidential we feature a couple of the highest rating Pinots in Halliday's 2009 edition of his Australian Wine Companion.

As a special offer for Pinot Confidential readers, purchase any dozen bottles of featured wines in this edition and receive a free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition. These books have a RRP of $34.90 and are an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in the Australian Wine industry.

Also included in this edition is an invitation to the Family of Twelve tasting in Melbourne next Thursday evening (7th August).

We hope you enjoy this edition of Pinot Confidential,

The team at Auscellardoor.

Ph - 1800 088 022

The ‘Family of Twelve’ in conjunction with Auscellardoor would like to invite to invite all Melbourne-based Pinot Confidential readers to meet the ‘Family’ and taste our fine wine reflecting, eight winemaking regions of New Zealand.

This is a exceptional opportunity to taste some of the Pinot's New Zealand has to offer.

Date: Thursday 7th August 2008, 6 – 8 pm

Venue: The Wine Room and Westin Room IV, The Westin Melbourne, 205 Collins Street, Melbourne.

RSVP by Tuesday 5th August to Kate Chisholm, (03) 9696 9673 or email kate@auscellardoor.com.au

This is a free event, however RSVP’s are essential.

The ‘Family of Twelve’ is: Kumeu River, Villa Maria Winery, The Millton Vineyard, Craggy Range, Ata Rangi, Palliser Estate, Neudorf Vineyards, Nautilus Estate, Fromm Winery, Lawson’s Dry Hills, Pegasus Bay, Felton Road.  

Bream Creek Pinot Noir 2006 - $28.90

Bream Creek of South Eastern Tasmania has vineyards dating back to 1973, making them one of the first commercial vineyards planted in Tasmania. Made by the highly credentialed Julian Alcorso, it displays classic cool climate Pinot characters, with seamless, well structured layers of finely textured flavours.

Winner of Best Pinot Noir at the 2008 Australian Boutique Winemakers Show, Sydney.

"95 Points. Deeply coloured; an extremely complex wine with gamey overtones (not brett) and spice to the dark plum fruit; great flavour profile and length. Screwcap. To 2014" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition with any dozen bottles of featured wines ordered.

Yering Station Pinot Noir 2006 - $19.90

This beautiful drinking Yarra Valley Pinot Noir has been our best selling Pinot’s of the past 12 months, however with stocks now becoming very low this will be the last time the 2006 vintage will be offered. The 2007 vintage, to be released in September is expected to be accompanied by a price increase so take the opportunity to stock up whilst it is still under $20.

"95 Points. Classic pinot noir bouquet, flavour and structure, the oak much less obvious than prior releases, fruit more to the front without sacrificing finesse. Outstanding value. Screwcap. 13.5% alc. To 2013" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition with any dozen bottles of featured wines ordered.  

Yabby Lake Pinot Noir 2006 - $49.90

The 2006 Yabby Lake Pinot Noir blend of MV6 and Pommard clones displays an excellent balance of structure and complexity while the 115 clone adds layers of seamless elegance resulting in a wine balanced beautifully with finesse. Winemaker Tod Dexter says "once again the true value of the vineyard being in one of the warmest sites on the Peninsula has proven its worth".

"95 Points. Good hue; very pure pinot in a light-to medium-bodied frame of spiced red and black fruits coming through strongly on its long palate and aftertaste. Screwcap. To 2013" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition with any dozen bottles of featured wines ordered.