Frogmore Creek Pinot Noir 2008, Tasmania

Frogmore Creek Pinot Noir 2008, Tony Scherer, Frogmore founder, has been an organic farmer since 1974. The wine is made by Alain Rousseau ( from a vigneron family of the Loire Valley France ) at the Frogmore Creek Winery in Penna, Southern Tasmania which sources grapes from the finest cool climate regions in Tasmania. , traditional french methods are used, which include

48-hour pre-ferment soak. Inoculated ferment in 1/2and 1 tonne open fermenters, hand plunged 3-times daily. Then pressed with the skins into stainless steel tanks for completion of primary fermentation. Then transfer into French oak for innoculated MLF before racking off the lees and further barrel maturation.

This wine has the expected hue of a Pinot, medium transparency with a ruby core and a pale garnet rim, the aromas are reminiscent of baked black and red fruits and have a pungent candied sweet aroma.
On tasting it, it has fresh acidity and well integrated alcohol ( 14.5%)  which enrobes and adds structure to this lovely earthy, fruity ( red cherry and cranberry and a touch of the sharpness that one finds in red currants), and all intermingled with spice. The tannins are low, ripe and silky - once more gently supportive without interrupting the enjoyment of this cool climate but definitely New World Pinot! An elegant, stylish wine which I would love to have in my cellar.The length was good with fresh red fruits all the way.
Score : 85


It has won awards - a Bronze, 2010 Tasmanian Wine Show and then (90 points) in the Australian Wine Companion 2011, so a wine worth looking out for.
See Jancis Robinson's Tasmanian 'Tasmania - island of opportunity'. Tasmania is the most southerly point in the world involved with grape growing and wine making - and the thing that is most surprising is the many microclimates that exist on this island with its maritime climate. The west coast is wet, cold and has rainforest scenery with mountainous terrain, the east coast is very dry ( due to the rainshadow from the mountains) and the north coast also has a good climate for grapes, the soil is good for grape production - overall a great place for cool climate grapes! Pinot Noir is the most planted grape, with Chardonnay following in second place with half its weight per annum. The land is being snapped up by many Australian producers as well as international big producers - so watch this space.
The wine surplus much talked about in Australias mainland does not esist here - they can sell everything they produce ( the level of production is about 3% of the Australian production) and the quality is high, little gets exported .
To see Tony Scherer talking on the Tasmanian Pinot Noir at Frogmore Creek - click here.