Bec Hardy Garden Series Adelaide Pinot Noir 2025
- 92
- $30
- Drink by: 2026-2029
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The fruit for this rather delicious, if possibly a little simple, Pinot Noir comes from a single vineyard called The Osmond’s ‘Clay Creek’ block, just outside McLaren Flat. The vines are in their 5th decade, impressive for the region. Actually, reasonably impressive for any region in Australia. The grapes were destemmed and fermented on skins before being pressed to older oak for a three-month maturation. Mauve/purple in colour with a crimson rim, this is a lovely, fresh wine with lifted aromas. On the nose we have notes of cherries, wild raspberries, fresh garden herbs and a touch of tinned beetroot. A bright and slightly zesty style, seamless in texture, with sleek tannins, there is lots to like here and it will drink well over the next two to three years. Those looking for flavour and immediate gratification ahead of complexity and years in the cellar will find a home here.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
