I’m still convinced that Aus makes more still red Meunier than anyone else in the world…
…I’ve since learned that Germany has roughly 200 hectares of Meunier plantings that they call Schwarzriesling. But Meunier aside…I’d seen a few people on Instagram post about this blend that also includes Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. So when Radford Dale included this in the little virtual tasting lineup they kindly arranged (peep the cute bottles they decanted for us), I was super stoked to try it.
The Wine:
Pale ruby with a garnet rim. A pronounced nose of bright tart cherry…imagine chewing a raspberry and cherry jellybean in your mouth at the same time, lilies, ripe sweet oranges, Turkish delights, smoke or toast, game, teriyaki sauce, and something herbal – I’m going to do Australia a solid and call it thyme instead of fynbos.
Dry, high acidity, medium- body, gentle tannins, with all the red berries, earth and herbs. Crunchy and fruity and possibly best served chilled.
Viti & Vini:
48% Pinot Meunier, 48%, Pinot Noir and 4% Pinot Gris from vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley & Oakbank in South Australia.
The grapes are fermented in small batches, in different proportions of whole bunches. Spontaneous wild fermentation and gentle maceration. The Pinot Gris is fermented on their skins for 10 to 14 days, giving it pale red (probably coppery) colour. The addition of Pinot Gris adds vibrancy and roundness to the blend.
Each parcel is matured in natural French barriques and Puncheons for 5 to 6 months. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration.
Conclusion:
Balance (1) + Length (1) + Intensity (½) + Complexity (½) = A good wine.
Drink now, but has potential for further ageing.
Final Thoughts:
It doesn’t come in at an everyday price point…but this was so much of a favourite that I stretched this wine to savour over multiple days. Do you also save your favourite part of the meal for the last bite? Well, this was my last bite as far as the tasting flight was concerned. Kinda fitting, given the crunchy quality to this wine.
Thanks again to Radford Dale for including me in this opportunity to taste some more internationals…and for making me fall in love with this Pinot x Three.