95/100 James Halliday

Gold - Melbourne International Wine Show
Silver - Wine Showcase New Release Tasting
Silver - Cairns Wine Show
"PINOT NOIR OF THE YEAR" - LIMESTONE COAST - Melbourne International Wine Show

James Halliday "Further evidence of the potential of Mount Gambier to produce elegant pinot noirs with impeccable varietal expression and is very well made. The red and black cherry fruits have a gentle, but persistent savoury twist that refreshes and complexes the wine. Whole-bunch fermentation in open top vessels, matured in French oak."

James Halliday "There is no longer any doubt that Mount Gambier, the coolest region in SA, is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Pinot Noir."

The Winemaker "The palate is rich and smooth, with cherry and red fruit leading to cinnamon spice and a hint of candied strawberry....The cooler, maritime climate of Mount Gambier allows for an extended growing season, which produces the delicate & complex flavours found in this Pinot. It was picked, destemmed and cold soaked for 7 days prior to fermentation, allowing vibrant strawberry and cherry flavours to be enhanced. "

Patrick of Coonawarra was founded by Patrick Tocaciu; one of Australia's leading wine (and AFL football) figures. Patrick's reputation for producing exceptional wine earned him many international accolades for the major labels he worked as Chief Winemaker, including; Tollana, Penfolds, and Hollick Wines. Patrick's distinguished reputation continued with the establishment of his own Patrick of Coonawarra Estate label. The wines are built on the solid foundation of extensive estate vineyards: 36 hectares in Coonawarra and 42 hectares in Wrattonbully. The Wrattonbully plantings contain shiraz, sauvignon blanc, and some of the riesling. All of the cabernet is grown in Coonawarra. The Estate is now managed by his eonologist son, Luke who continues the tradition of producing wines of varietal and regional excellence.

Coonawarra is the most important wine region within the Limestone Coast zone of South Australia, credited with producing some of the best red wines in the entire country, and often described as Australia's most famous terroir. It is located in the far south-east of the state, adjoining the border with Victoria south of Wrattonbully.

Pinot Noir is the dominant red wine grape of Burgundy, now produced in wine regions all over the world, including western Germany, northern Italy, Chile, South Africa, Australia and, perhaps most notably, California, Oregon and New Zealand. The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.