De Bortoli Gulf Station Pinot Noir 2006

From http://www.winestar.com.au/prod380.htm

A stylish, light- to medium-bodied but very complex wine with cherry, plum and spice running through the long finish. Gold medal Sydney Wine Show 2007. Great value. Screwcap. 13.5% Alc. Rating 94. To 2010 - James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008

Whole-berry fermentation, hand plunging and some new French wood bring light, elegant, fragrant notes, cherry, sweet spices and attractive oak to the 2006 Gulf Station Pinot Noir. Reminiscent of a deeper, more rounded version of the Windy Peak, with more tannins and a precise, cherry finish. Nick Stock, Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine

Australia's best pinot under $20: restrained, fine redcurrant and dark-cherry flavours with some savoury hints, silky texture, good weight and tannins to balance. Peter Forrestal, Sunday Times

Made from 100% Yarra Valley fruit. The 2006 growing season was warm initially but cooler conditions during the ripening period ensured excellent quality Pinot Noir. Fruit is picked at 12.5° – 13.5° Baumé to maximise richness, colour and flavour. A combination of winemaking techniques were used to produce a final blend with complexity and balance. These include cold soaking before fermentation, inclusion of whole berries and bunches as well as warm fermentation (28ºC-32ºC). Minimal handling was adopted to preserve fruit flavour. Deep red with purple hues; Complex red and dark berry aromas with underlying earth and forest floor characters; Medium bodied with intense berry and spice flavours. The palate is textured with length and balance. Winemaker Notes

The quality arm of the bustling De Bortoli group, run by Leanne De Bortoli and husband Stephen Webber, ex-Lindeman winemaker. The top label (De Bortoli), the second (Gulf Station) and the third label (Windy Peak) offer wines of consistently good quality and excellent value...a recent addition (the Pinot Noir) to the Gulf Station range of wines, produced entirely from Yarra Valley-grown grapes and using the full range of winemaking techniques including cold maceration before fermentation, the incorporation of whole bunches, hot fermentation temperature and some barrel fermentation. James Halliday

See Also:

http://debortoli.com.au/our-wines/press-reviews/gulf-station/pinot-noir.html

Bought:

• 3 bottles from Get Wines Direct on 6-Aug-2007. $9.95 each.
• Drink: 2008-2010