Here we go, then. Happy New Year 2021!
It was a quiet New Year's Eve. We had a game of Bridge, over the internet, and then settled down in front of the TV. I had to awaken The One just before midnight whilst Jools led us through an enjoyable, if unusual, Hootenanny but the nap had done it's work and we were able to toast the arrival of 2021 with:
I bought this in the hope that it may be better than Prosecco but cheaper than an unnecessarily over-priced Champagne. I expected it to be drinkable which it was, but very pleased to find it to be much better by far. I have had Champagnes that were nowhere near as good as this.
Being 100% Pinot Noir and the juice obviously having had some skin contact, it has a nice, gentle pinky tinge. This is backed up by some equally pink fruit flavours like strawberry and raspberry and delivered with a delicate mousse. There is a hint of the autolytic flavours such as brioche and fresh croissant, which I really like, and a crisp but not sharp finish.
It is made in South Australia in the Adelaide Hills region, from fruit grown in vineyards planted in 1997 by Andrew Nugent on what had been a dairy farm. Given that the first three years' fruit can't be used, there must have only been twenty or so harvests from the site and it shows great skill that a wine this good has been developed in that relatively short time.
I recently found myself being quizzed about my views on wines from 'old vines' and whether they justify a special place in the wine world. Whilst I am attracted to the romantic side of wines, the stories that can be told about them and the histories to which they are attached, I am old enough myself to be a little cautious when it comes to the claims that are made because of such things. That is, if an old vine wine really tastes different, in a way that some would enjoy and others not, then I see the value. But if what comes out of the bottle is either of poor quality or is indistinguishable from younger or more familiar vines, then I am less interested. This wine is from relatively young vines, probably approaching their prime, and for the price I think it is just right. If I had paid more for a wine with more history attached it would have to have delivered a markedly more pleasurable experience to justify its selection.
I will buy more of this.
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