2022 Old Vine Pinot Meunier
TASTING NOTES
Colour: Deep red colour intensity, with a ruby/garnet hue.
Bouquet: Pronounced intensity of red primary fruits. A bouquet of cranberry and cherry. Secondary aromas of dried flowers, coupled with cloves and dried herb.
Palate: Distinct intensity, with delicate characters of red cherry, raspberry and red current. Mid-palate is filled with savoury spice, dried herb, and clove. Acid and tannin are poised nicely which creates a long finish.
Cellaring: This is a medium bodied wine of exceptional quality, which can be enjoyed now or cellared for 2-20 years to experience it’s full potential.
Vintage: 2022 began with a very cool spring, misty conditions and low hanging fog. Fruit flowering took some time due to the cooler conditions, which is typical for the region after a larger vintage in 2021. Low crops resulted in smaller berries with higher concentrations of flavour, producing outstanding wines.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Growing Region: Great Western, Victoria
Grape Varieties: Pinot Meunier
Alcohol: 12%
Winemaker: Jacob Parton
REVIEWS
Winepilot – Jeni Port, June 2023
Old vines don’t describe the half of it. Best’s vines were planted in 1868 which makes them among the oldest pinot meunier vines in the world. It is a point to ponder as you explore the myriad aromas and flavours of this wine, a free-wheeling, sustained ride of pure vinous pleasure. Bright purple-garnet hues. Combines youthful freshness and vitality with real depth of concentrated flavour. Old vines off a single vineyard site seen to be able to achieve that kind of effortless feat so easily. Cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, dried herbs and a ribbon of pepper and earthy spice mingle, bright and easy flowing, with superfine tannins and gentle oak. The palate comes alive with complexity of fruit, yet it’s so, so young. This is the great secret to this wine, year in year out. It arrives fully formed and ready to be enjoyed upon release and yet, rest assured, it will age an absolute treat. It is a national treasure. Drink now to 2038 Rating: 95 points
James Suckling – Ned Goodwin MW, June 2023
While this is a reticent, gently mid-weighted expression, its subdued nature is one of the beguiling layers, impeccable poise and compelling old vine vinosity. Youthful coyness will be made up for in time, gifting those who wait. Ferrous, Damson, clove, sandalwood and scrub. The tannins are beautifully lithe and compressed, with aromas suggestive of fine Barbaresco. A cuvee responsible for possibly the finest wine tasted from the New World. Loads in store. Best from 2028. Rating: 96 points
Tyson Stelzer – WBM Sept/Oct 2023
I love the way the cool 2022 season has heightened the fragrance, lift, freshness and detail of the Meunier of these grand old vines. Rose petal, violets, morello cherry, sarsaparilla, blackberry and even fresh liquorice are all present in bountiful measure, impeccably presented in a fine-boned structural framework of mineral tannins and tense, cool season acidity that unite to compelling effect to promise grand longevity. Rating: 94 points
