Dalrymple Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015 – Piper River, Tasmania.
Let me say from the start that this is an amazing wine, deeply complex, elegant, exquisite layers of fruit, showing exceptional balance and acidity with celebrated appeal.
I cannot think of a better wine to celebrate International Pinot Day than to open a bottle of 2015- with 10 years of aging under its belt. Not just aging but evolving into what it was meant to be.
A brief history of Pinot in Tasmania- first planted by a Scottish opium farmer in 1813, kicked along by experience and knowledge by a Frenchman, Jean Miguet, establishing La Provence in 1956, and Italian, Claudio Alcorso establishing Moorilla Estate in 1958. In 1974, Andrew Pirie put Tasmania on the Pinot world map, establishing Pipers Brook Vineyard.
Dalrymple Vineyards was established by Bertel and Anne Sundstrup in 1987, on sloping hills that overlook Bass Strait and the rugged coast line. Think north eastern Tasmania.
Peter Caldwell – Vigneron remembers one of his first ‘aha’ moments during his first vintage in Bordeaux. The experience showed him ‘just how great wine can be when it’s not pushed or forced.’ He believes in the right varietal, grown in the right place, and made the right way. He brings exceptional experience, knowledge, and restraint to making wine.
Seductive aromas of cherries, strawberries, forest floor, and oak draw you in without realizing the spell this has caste on you.
The mouthfeel is delicate, exquisite, soft, and inviting, yet rich and just a hint of power and structure. All the flavors on the nose are evident complimented by raspberries, plum, earth, mushroom, and just a trace of vanilla and spices. It ticks all the boxes and leaves you smiling. Elegance and finesse balanced by bold defined layers leave you with a sense that you have just experienced something fine, something magical.
Cellar time: at least another 5 years, or more, with confidence.
Food pairing recommended by the winery include Duck, Fungi, Chicken- coq au vin, Salmon, Venison medallions or a rich Osso Bucco.
Vine to Table 