2015 Montalto Single Vineyard Pinots

Brilliant tasting at Montalto sampling the new release 2015 single vineyard pinot noir’s and providing a comparison with the 2012 vintage.  Quite a stark difference 3 years in bottle makes with the least popular Main Ridge (among those present) showing the best by far amongst the 2012’s.

Overall a great showing and one that clearly shows the impact of different sites across the peninsular.

All wines are $70 and in short supply, and you can get them cheaper if you buy via the wine club (which is one of the better one’s around for value and quality product in my view).

2015 Main Ridge Pinot Noir – Cherry, strawberry and quite light bodied.  Probably the least exciting wine of the bunch at this stage, but still a worthy wine.  93 points

2015 Red Hill Pinot Noir – My personal favourite of the 2015’s and the lowest production of the four wines.  Richer, fuller flavoured with deep cherry fruits, spice and a more robust tannin structure.  Deep purple with more oak impact evident. 96 points

2015 Merrick’s Pinot Noir – Savoury with more subtle fruit and a touch of earth showing.  Again oak and tannins on show, was favoured by many but easily shaded by the Red Hill for me. 94 points

2015 Tuerong Pinot Noir – Spice, blue fruits and cherry, again a touch on the savoury side.  Apparently award worthy (can’t recall which) and will thus likely disappear quicker than one can say “97 point Halliday wine.” Certainly the popular choice for the better half, so the smart money goes here.  95 points

2012 Main Ridge Pinot Noir – Three years is a long time in pinot it would seem and if the 2015 Main Ridge grows to compare with the 2012, get on board.  Strawberry and rose petals, light bright and brilliantly delicious.  97 points

2012 Merrick’s Pinot Noir – Merrick’s again more savoury and the most similar between the 12 and 15 versions.  Moving towards red fruits / strawberry with age however this is still holding strong and some way to go on this wine.  94 points

2012 Tuerong Pinot Noir – Tannins in place to provide structure but really this is ready to drink now.  A little less precise than the 2015 and that lack of clarity, while not making a bad wine by any means, means that it is tough to compete in this crowd.  93 points

Thanks to Montalto for the invite, a stellar day had by all and my order is in!