Find Your Legs

My journey down the road to discovery of fine wine.

[findyourlegs]

Post Harvest Moon, Yarra Yering, Yarra Valley

[findyourlegs]

[findyourlegs]

Tellurian, Shiraz 2009

Tellurian burst onto the scene in 2008 with a highly rated Shiraz from Victoria’s Heathcote region. In the few vintages since it has become a James Haliday 5 star rated winery. It can be found on some of the wine lists of Melbourne’s and Sydney’s best restaurants and more recently has started to pop up in boutique wine stores around town. The 2009 Shiraz is typical Heathcote Shiraz, black berries with pepper and spice. Aged for 15 months in predominantly French oak, the structure and finish are first class. Tellurian may well be the new rising star in Australian Shiraz. Highly recommended 93/100

[findyourlegs]

[findyourlegs]

Pierre Naigeon, Pinot Noir 2009

I'm the first to admit I know nothing about French wine, actually I know very little about old world wine in general. I was however happy to pick this up on clearance from the local big box liquor retailer. Pierre Naigeon a 5th generation French producer from Burgundy who is known by wine geeks in Australia for his local Pierre Clos range which produces good value wine in the new world in a old world style. This Pinot is from his home country made from old vines (Vielles Vignes) under the Appellation Marsannay Contrólée. It has typical old world funk, with savoury earthiness and aromas of blackcurrant and dark berries. No doubt would be so much better with food but good value at the price I picked it up for. 89/100

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[findyourlegs]

Yarra Yering, Underhill Shiraz 2001

Although wine was grown in Victoria's Yarra Valley from the mid 1800's circumstances of the time led to wine production ceasing in favour of more profitable enterprises such as merino farming. It was not until 1969 that serious wine making returned to the valley when Dr. Bailey Carrodus planted 12 hectares of vines at the foot of the Warramate Hills. Yarra Yering was born and Dr. Carrodus released his first vintage in 1973 with the Dry Red No. 1 & No. 2. The low yielding and unirrigated vineyards developed a reputation for producing wines which had great complexity with distinct vintage styles. Dr. Carrodus passed away in 2008 and it was his expectation that any new purchaser of the winery continue to manage the vineyard in much the same way. He wouldn't be disappointed with the winery purchased by a partnership headed by Singapore based Ed Peters and with Dr. Carrodus's appointed successor at the helm Paul Bridgeman, Yarra Yering is still Yarra Valley wine at it's best. The 2001 Underhill Shiraz is 100% Shiraz sourced from a parcel planted in 1974. Dark fruits with spicy pepper and earthy tones with a long persistent finish. If you are ever in the Yarra Valley a visit to their cellar door will be a highlight, regular museum releases on tasting and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. 95/100

[findyourlegs]

[findyourlegs]

Oakridge, Over The Shoulder Pinot Noir 2011

The Over the Shoulder range from Yarra Valley powerhouse Oakridge offers good value drinking at sub $20. This vintage sees the Oakridge name on the label for the first time, it makes sense it's a hot brand and they should be making the most of it. The 2011 Pinot is sourced from grapes from Coldstream, Diamond Creek and Seville. Sweet and sour juicy red fruits with herbs and spice, the oak gives a little lick of vanilla on the finish. It won't rock a Pinot lovers world but it's easy drinking at a good price. 90/100

[findyourlegs]

[findyourlegs]

Fulcrum, Pinot Noir 2011

Fulcrum is the new venture between the young Australian Pinot King Bill Downie and his best mate Jason Searle. Downie's eponymous label releases 3 Victorian Pinot's annually which are keenly collected in the local market. The Fulcrum range is less than half the price of the eponymous range and is great value at under $20. Red berries with undertones of spice and earth, I feel as though it would probably age well which is rare for a Pinot in this price range. 90/100

[findyourlegs]

[findyourlegs]

Sideways (2004)

Jack: Man! That's tasty!

Miles: That's 100% Pinot Noir. Single vineyard. They don't even make it anymore.

Jack: Pinot Noir?

Miles: Mmm-hmm

Jack: Then how come it's white?

Miles: Oh Jesus! Don't ask questions like that up in wine country. They'll think your some kind of dumbshit!

[findyourlegs]

[findyourlegs]

Williams Crossing, Pinot Noir 2010

Williams Crossing is the entry label for Phillip Morahan's Curly Flat Winery located in the Macedon ranges less than an hour from Melbourne. The Williams Crossing Pinot Noir is made in the exact same method and from the same grapes as his premier Curly Flat label, a barrel tasting is completed just before bottling and it is determined the higher rated barrels are to go to Curly Flat and the balance goes to Williams Crossing. The end result is a high quality Pinot at nearly half the price of the sister label. Jancis Robinson has in previous vintages actually rated the WC higher than Curly Flat, just goes to show the beauty of a wine is seen differently by different people. The only catch with Williams Crossing is it's only available at cellar door and a handful of carefully selected restaurants. The 2010 has a great dark fruit bouquet with a medium to light weight, sweet and sour cherries with a fine smooth finish. Quality Pinot at a bargain price. 93/100

[findyourlegs]

A night in Hotel Yountville

[findyourlegs]

Disneyland for grown ups.