2008 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Very pale red, almost pink. Spicy aromas of pomegranate, wild strawberry and rhubarb, with complicating notes of white pepper and ginger(!). Delicate and precise red fruit flavors are seemingly weightless, with brisk minerality adding back-end cut. This distinctly pure and racy pinot finishes with excellent clarity and lingering spiciness. Comes off like a white wine in its texture and energy, which may well perplex or even disappoint some wine lovers.
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
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The 2008 Pinot Noir is so pale and delicate, it could qualify as a very classy rose. It gives a pretty perfume of roses and violets with some strawberries and dried herbs. In the mouth this medium-bodied wine is very crisp, elegant and fresh with very soft tannins and a long finish. Drink it now to 2013. Winemaker Mac Forbes, formerly with Mount Mary, has now gone out on his own purchasing fruit from across Yarra Valley and crafting wines to his own unique style. The Pinots in particular have received split opinions from the locals, some adoring these very pale colored, delicate wines while others think he’s gone too far in the “delicate” direction. While I respect his vision, I do think some of the wines are a little lacking in intensity and structure. For those that like to live life on the light side, I think there’s a lot of pleasure to be had from his Pinots as well as the Chardonnays. Importer: Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (215) 533-9464