Pirie Late Disgorged 2011
- 97
- $145
- Drink by: 2022 - 2030
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No secret that Tasmania is making some of the world’s finest sparkling wines, second only to Champagne itself, and this is surely one of the best yet released. A stunner. For me, the best I have seen from our Southern State. Ownership and transfer of wine producers and vineyards in Tassie can sometimes seem like a fast-paced game of musical chairs. And somewhere – past, present or future – one will often find the fingerprints of Andrew Pirie. Even though this wine is labelled Pirie, and is one I’m sure of which he’d be very proud, it has been a decade since he was involved with his eponymous company. These days, it is all under the guidance of Brown Family Wine Group, who have made significant investments in Tasmania.
This is a pale gold in colour. The nose is so appealing – nuts, brioche, peaches and cream, toast and apricot kernels. The palate is soft and complex, with a creamy texture. Notes of lemon curd and freshly baked lemon meringue pie emerge. Underneath, there is bright acidity. A sparkling wine of great length with the balance and intensity maintained the full length. One of the great Aussie sparklers. This will drink magnificently for many years.
Released first week of July 2022.
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.
