TN: Pirie 'South' Pinot Noir, 2003, Tasmania, Australia.  Add/Read Comments

I have been reading Ben's Pinot Island Blog for a while now but always thought the wines from Tasmania were under-represented in the UK. Small production I guess precludes most from reaching these shores. Just the other day though I spied a bottle of Pirie Pinot Noir lurking on the bottom shelf at Waitrose and thought "why not". A quick email to Ben reveals that the wine has "only been out a short while".

"Andrew Pirie, the wine maker, is a pioneer of cool climate wines in Australia, establishing Pipers Brook Vineyard in Northern Tasmania over 30 years ago. Just a few years ago Pipers was taken over by Kreglinger and Pirie was dramatically sacked from the business he founded. He is now producing under his own label and has also released an early drinking range of wines (Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay) under the South label."

Ben continues "I believe he is sourcing his fruit from small local growers who are happy to let him have a guiding role in their vineyards. The small but emerging Relbia area just out of Launceston seems to be favoured by Pirie."

Wine Tasting Note: Pirie South Pinot Noir, 2003, Tasmania, Australia.
Available from Waitrose for £8.99.
Deep colour, fruity, lightly savoury aroma with plenty of berry fruit. Palate is medium-bodied, fresh and lively but perhaps lacking a little. Nice enough and not too expensive for a small production Pinot, very easy to drink, but not hugely expressive. It washed down a Proscuitto and Artichoke Schiacciata beautifully however.
Scribblings Rating - 88/100