Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Pinot noir. 14%. Screwcap. Approx $A44.Perhaps it is the cooler Autumn nights, for I found this less clunky and over weight than I had initially expected. The flavours and shape are very good, though it is over extracted and a little warmer than ideal. Like the unidentified seed pod that is pictured, I happened on this the other day. Macerated cherries, earth, stalks and spice (oak). It's lush, ripe and rich in the mouth, rounded and inviting before tightening and becoming more sappy and gripping. A hint of char and graphite before the warmth takes over. A blend from multiple vineyard and multiple clones, this may not appeal to the Burgundy purists, with its geographic vagueness, big bones and emerging creamy softness. I like it though, it tries to seduce and comes very close to succeeding. 91. Now - 2014
5 comments:
"Geographic vagueness" is the understatment of the year, I actually heard that there was fruit from Robe in this Pinot. This wine is a crime against the Variety, I didn't like that much about it a all,Ed. I think you were to kind. I found the overbearing oak mouth feel bordering on unpleasant! For real pinotphiles drink Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Pinot Noir $50 @ your local independent wine Merchant!
Vincent,
I understand fully your impression of this wine. It will polarize all before it! I've also tried the 06 Woori Yallock and have got to say that (specific vintage) is also likely to cause heated debate :)
Given that Penfolds are such well known blenders, I can see the logic behind the Bin 23, even though some will see it as a crime. I guess, I see it as a village wine, without precise roots. . . So on this basis, I accept it is not profound or even great pinot, but it also (to me at least) has some appeal and a certain (exaggerated) sensuality.
I also think it needs a bit of time, though a prior encounter with the Cellar Reserve PN has made me give this a fairly narrow window.
Completely tangential to the wine, I must note how pleasant it is to read of your autumn as our spring approaches. I say this not out of any sense of Schadenfreude, but because there is some simple poetic elegance to the Earth's opposing rhythms.
http://media.pressconnect.com.au/penfolds/02895/images/2009-adelaidhills-pinot-bin23.pdf
It's all Adelaide Hills. One thing I like about Eduardo (and any good reviewer) is a sense of 'fairness' i.e. approaching a wine on its merits, not what some ideal of conformity. This is a Penfolds Pinot as Gago says..and if you want something different best not buy Penfolds.
GW
Shea,
It's about now I wish I were a migratory bird getting ready to follow the heat and sun northwards.
GW,
Very kind words, which are much appreciate.
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