Block 5 Pinot Noir

Mid Ruby with a tawny rim. A little closed 15 minutes after decanting. Still contained and a little latent at 12 years of age. With air red berry fruits and florals and a touch of pepper. Wonderful palate intensity showing the quality of the fruit - raspberry notes coming through. One of Australia’s best Pinots although I have had better Block 5’s.

As per previous notes in 2019 and 2020. The pale colour belies the palate intensity. Red fruits, a confectionery note, rose petals. A good but not a great Block 5. Have the last one in a year or two.

See notes from 26 weeks ago where I gave this wine 95 points, up a point now to 96 points+. A superb Pinot Noir where previous notes apply and then some. Slightly more earthy “gout de terroir”. Compost heap and Sous Bois. One of Australia’s best Pinots and definitely of Premier Cru/Grand Cru quality at a fraction of the price. Sadly my last 2009.

Medium Ruby in colour. Raspberry and strawberry - taste the minerality. A little bit coarse on the palate still with firm tannins. Very savoury. A little disappointing for a Block 5.

Dusty plums and cherries together with decayed plant matter and mushroom. On the palate luscious and savoury at the same time. Certainly in the conversation when discussing Australia’s top Pinot Noirs. Excellent quality for the difficult year for bushfires in the Yarra Valley. Bindi is not in the Yarra but it is in reasonable proximity to the north of Melbourne in the Macedon Ranges. After a while the nose had a Rhubarb and Pastille note. 97 points from Huon Hooke.

Light ruby in colour - translucent in parts. Notes of cherry and toffee. Light to medium bodied palate but excellent intensity showing its pedigree as one of Australia’s better Pinots with time in Decanter. Resolved ultra fine Tannins. A good Block 5 if not a little on the light side.

Aromas of savoury Cherry and stemmy notes. Supple and intense - a top quality new World Pinot for sure. Mellow and reaching full maturity - Tannins resolved. Beautiful texture and easily Premier Cru standard. After a couple of hours the silky tannins are prominent. Has a future but pretty irresistible right now. One of Australia’s best Pinot Noirs IMO - definitely in the Top 5.

Lovely perfume of old fashioned dark roses and violets like a Vase of flowers from your Grandmother’s House. On palate raspberries and touch of rhubarb - red fruits in general - bright and fresh even at this age with a % of whole bunch Stalkiness with that Quartz Block minerality. Tannins are supple, smooth and persistent with moderate acids. Next in 1 to 2 years.

Another Top 5 Australian Pinot. Will be interesting to compare with Bass Phillip Premium from the same vintage 2008. Same pale tawny colour when poured into the decanter. Intoxicating more dirty aroma than the BP. Loved it. Sour cherry liqueur. Ready to drink but has a future. Savoury tannins. As with the BP with time in the decanter the palate became sweeter but savoury and earthy enough to be a genuine Burgundy contender. Obviously great terroir and excellent wine making like the BP. Beautiful Pinot Noir any way you cut it with enough strength to go another 5 years. Remained fresh and vibrant throughout the tasting experience. The Verdict: Bass Phillip slightly more complex and Burgundian.

One of the top 5 Pinots in Australia I think. The power of the nose and palate belies its pale Burgundian colour. Plummy and spicy with incredible length. A marvellous wine. 18.