Appellation Australia

Masterclass: Bannockburn Chardonnay SRH

• 2008 Bannockburn Chardonnay S.R.H. – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Geelong
  Nutty and floral aromas mingling with some citrus and peach. There is texture and interest on the palate, with well weighted fruit intensity balanced by good acidity. 91/100

• 2001 Bannockburn Chardonnay S.R.H. – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Geelong
  Honey, guava, some butter and hay aromas. The palate has developed as well but there isn’t enough depth and there is a very small out of place spirity twinge to the finish. Drink now. 88/100

• 1997 Bannockburn Chardonnay S.R.H. – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Geelong
  Layered nose of cashew, honey, mandarin and pear. The palate is developed but it shows a fresh lift through excellent acid and well held structure and powerful fruit, leading to a long finish. While I don’t think it will fall over soon, it is near its peak and drinking well right now for my taste. Much better than a “standard” ’97 Bannockburn Chardonnay I had 5-6 years ago that was in danger of falling over already. 92/100

Masterclass: Tarrawarra Pinot Noir Reserve

• 2010 Tarrawarra Pinot Noir Reserve – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
  Tight nose, but opened up quickly in the glass to reveal violets, cherry, tobacco and stalks. The palate is lithe, with restrained red fruit and some textural elements to give interest. There is enough here to convince me that it will improve over 5-6 years. 90/100

• 2008 Tarrawarra Pinot Noir Reserve – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
  Cherry, raspberry, some violets and stalks. The palate is nicely balanced between savoury and spice notes with some plush fruit. Good length, this is a good wine and should develop well over the medium term. 89/100

• 2004 Tarrawarra Pinot Noir Reserve – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
  Brilliantly complex nose of forest floor, roses and aging autumn leaves. The palate unfortunately does not quite deliver the same depth and complexity. It is fine, decently balanced, but without the same interest factor. Drink now. 88/100

Masterclass: Bindi Pinot Noir Block 5 and others tasted later

• NV Bindi Cuvée III – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges
  A blend of fruit from 1993 to 1997, spending 13 years on lees in bottle and with zero dosage. The nose shows toast, hay, lemon, spice and some appealing nutty character. There is a richness to the palate that is delicious and balanced out by fine, fresh acidity. A serious and seriously good wine. 91/100

• 2010 Bindi Chardonnay Quartz – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges
  Lemon peel, spice, minerality and a hint of oak. The palate is well balanced with fruit intensity and depth. Drink over the next 3-4 years. 90/100

• 2010 Bindi Pinot Noir Original Vineyard – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges
  Lovely floral perfume on the nose, there is also some earth, cherry and five spice. The palate is a pleasing mix of savoury elements and restrained red fruit. I’ve had this three times in the last year and it has been consistently very good. 91/100

• 2010 Bindi Pinot Noir Block 5 – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges
  Appealing nose of black cherry, olive, earth and roses. Palate is bright, with some depth to it and powerful coiled fruit power lurking. Great length and very good potential to improve. 90/100

• 2005 Bindi Pinot Noir Block 5 – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges
  From magnum. Earth, violets, fresh red cherries and spice. The palate has immense power but the structure is in place to keep it reigned in and balanced. Exceptional length and genuinely superb depth. My faith has been restored after a disappointing 2006 Block 5 recently. Keeping in mind this was from magnum, I think it will continue to develop over the next 10 years. 93/100

• 2000 Bindi Pinot Noir Block 5 – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges
  From double magnum. I loved the aromas on this – forest floor, smoked meats, cherry and a hint of truffle. The palate is complex and textured, it has obvious age and has almost all its components resolved. I would drink this now (especially since this sample came from a 3L bottle). 91/100