Lark Hill Pinot Noir 2011 (Canberra)
12.5%, Screwcap, $30
Source: Sample
www.larkhillwine.com.au
www.larkhillwine.com.au
From a particularly tricky, cool and wet season in Canberra, this actually looks much better than expected. Winemaker Chris Carpenter believes it simply comes down to a question of more work in the vineyard, with 2011 really serving to separate the ‘good’ viticulturists from the ‘great’ ones.
A light coloured, slightly leafy and secondary sort of Pinot with mulch and underplayed redcurrant, this is anything but a ripe wine to taste, carrying minimal fruit sweetness, lots of acidity and firm dry tannins. Yet there is also a delicacy here that is genuinely lovely, the hints of strawberry Pinot fruit a nice contrast to the dry finish and pointy acidity.
This is still a light, cool season red, yet not without a certain fine-boned nature that makes it plenty interesting (if not ultra convincing). Enjoyable given the context.
Drink: 2013=-2017
Score: 17/20, 90/100
Would I buy it? Not quite
2 Comments
thanks Andrew, sounds like an interesting wine despite the vintage.
sometimes i think we (the consumer) expect greatness every time we pop a cork (or unwind a screwcap). Winemakers know that is not possible..
Especially from a cool climate single vineyard. A little variation is important for sure.