Coldstream Hills Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2020
- 93
- $35
- Drink by: 2021-2024
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As with the Coldstream Hills Yarra Chardonnay, this wine is sourced from across the Valley. The techniques used by the winemakers are varied and diverse, to ensure maximum complexity. This does include the use of whole bunches and while that might appear to a degree in the finished product, it is certainly nothing that sticks out. Rather, it is just another factor adding to the complexity. Oak is a mix of new (27% this vintage) and seasoned and the maturation period was eight months.
The wine is a vibrant crimson. This is a delicious, early drinking Pinot, although there will be no harm done for those who’d like to give it 2-3 years in their cellars. There are bright fruit notes on the nose – raspberries, cherries, a little bramble and some soy, with a hint of a minerally background. It lingers nicely. A balanced and seamless Pinot with decent length and silky tannins. You could age it, but I’m not sure there is any reason to do so. Don’t deprive yourself of the pleasure.
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.
