Does this wine ever disappoint? Not in my recollection of the
vintages stretching back to the early 2000s. Even in difficult years
like 2004, Barringwood Park's Mill Block Pinot Noir retains its stamp of quality and earns yet more gold and fancy cups to add to the brag bag.
With no Mill Block made in 2009 (much of the limited vintage went into sparkling production), vintage 2010 is the first release since 2008.
Typically of Mill Block Pinots, this wine has a jewel-like clarity in the glass with vivid purple flashes. There's the distinctive briary, raspberry, fresh herb aroma which is quite explosive, so explosive and aromatic in fact that a mouth-watering response is instant. Those fresh berry fruits continue on the palate with more intense and enrichening dried currant.
It is an exquisitely pure pinot, but that doesn't mean 'simple', and at the moment it is a tightly coiled, shimmering, shivering pinot spring that deserves rest time in a cellar.
2010 Barringwood Park Mill Block Pinot Noir $39, DOZ $450
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Also just in, must-have 2009 Hurley Garamond Pinot Noir from the Kevin Bell and Tricia Byrnes' highly acclaimed Mornington vineyard.
Deep but clear ruby. Intense and sweet aromas of blackcurrant and
brighter raspberry with spice - cinnamon and aromatic cardamom, and even
a note of sweet biscuit. Bouquet is complex and evolving. Brilliant
flavour profile - exquisite and richly-weighted fruit with excellent
texture and lingering flavours. Plenty of sexy pinot curves but with a
core of strength and savouriness. VERY LIMITED STOCK
2009 Hurley Garamond Pinot Noir $62



2010 Clarence Plains JV Pinot Noir (TAS) $23, $240 DOZ - Young vines from Rokeby (across the Derwent from Hobart) produce a big, full-flavoured pinot (dark fruits), expertly made by Julian Alcorso.
2010 Wobbly Boot Pinot Noir (TAS) $27, $295 DOZ - Very pretty, lively pinot with aromatic bouquet. Medium body is perfect for casual summer eating.
2009 Le Chat Noir Pinot Noir (Aude FRANCE) $22, $230 DOZ - Full flavoured French pinot. Extremely popular.
2009 Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir (NZ) $25, $265 DOZ - NEW VINTAGE of this perennially popular party pinot.
