Phi Pinot Noir 2010 Yarra Valley a wine made by Steve Weber together with the De Bortoli family in the Yarra Valley and its name derives from
'Philosophy'. The vineyards planted in 1985 and the fruit is hand picked and destemmed and placed in six tonne open fermenters - 15% whole bunches are included. Natural fermentation occurs and the cap receives the occasional plunge toward the end of fermentation. After 20 days on the skins the wine is pressed, settled overnight and gravity filled to French casks (40% new) for 10 months. The wine is then racked by gravity and bottled in early February.
This wine has a lovely transparency - ruby with a hint of garnet that was a surprise, on the nose ripe cherry and a complex array of spices which includes vanilla and ginger. On tasting it - cherry once more but joined by red currants and a wisp of raspberry this is interleaved with tobacco, earth, leather and spices add further complexity, a joy with a long long finish! The oak is carefully used and is well integrated and the whole wine is elegant with sweet decadence and a burgundian feel but with the New World twist.
Score : 92
The Yarra Valley was Victoria's first wine growing district
with a history stretching back 170 years. It is known as the birthplace of
Victoria's wine industry. Vines were first planted in 1838 and viticulture
spread rapidly through the 1860s and 1870s And is now recognised as one of
Australia's foremost cool climate regions, capable of making classic styles
from a wide range of varieties. It is located less than one hour's drive east
of Melbourne and is currently home to more than 80 wineries and although grows
many grapes successfully it is well known for its high quality for production
of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Yarra Valley is one of Australia's coolest regions, with
elevation varying from 50 metres to 400 metres. Rainfall is winter/spring
dominant, with the summer relatively cool, dry and humid and there is limited
maritime influence a small diurnal temperature range reflects the proximity of
the sea. Frost is rarely a problem, but can affect the lower vineyards on the
valley floor from time to time. A rainfall of 750-950 millimetres and
restricted water holding capacity in some soils, irrigation is considered
essential − although the extent of its use does vary significantly between
producers.
Another point worth
noting is that the Yarra Valley is Phyloxera free.
The tasting was the many faces of Pinot, it included 3 Pinot Grigio's and 3 Pinot Noirs. The one real star for me, and first time tasting was Tesco's Finest Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010. I have tasted many Pinot's from New Zealand, the ones that have shone have been those from Martinborough ......( south of North Island, while Marlborough is north of South Island..... sort of opposite each other), the ones from Central Otago have been too angular and lacking in juicy fruits to balance the fresh acidity - well this one had the missing element for me!
