Stefano Lubiana 2007 Pinot Noir (Australia)
09 Apr 2015- Details
- Category: Uncorked Tonight
(January 17, 2015) ... As has become tradition since moving to St Catharines, we have some friends over for dinner around the holidays. This year we opened some 8 or 9 bottles of truly excellent wine, but that can also mean that some, brought by guests, get left behind for me to try later. One of my friends brought a bottle of Tasmanian Pinot Noir from Stefano Lubiana (which he informed me is "made by a friend if mine") - I was told that the 2007 was a hot vintage in Tassie and this is to be drunk sooner rather than later ... So a month and a bit later I unscrewed the cap and poured myself a glass, and another, and then another. I'll start by getting my bias out of the way: I do love me some well made Tasmanian Pinot, my friend didn't know that, but a few years ago I tasted my first Tas-Pinot and was smitten. Since then whenever it comes into the province I look forward to trying it, and am rarely disappointed. This Lubiana was yet another notch on my 'why I love' board. Aromas of violets, white pepper, and cranberry hinted at a delicacy even for a hot vintage - palate was floral/violets with sour cherry, anise, touches of white pepper and gentle spices on the long finish. Another bottle of Tasmanian Pinot that does not disappoint - if you have not tried Pinot from this part of Australia it is time you find your way.
(January 10, 2015) ... After a 10-day, start of the year "cleanse" I am back on the wagon ... and I started it off by looking at another on of my Virgin Wine Club bottles, a Sicilian red blend made from Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese. For a blend this wine started out quite simple, and turned into something ultimately tasty ... Probably why I am intrigued by so many Sicilian wines. The nose kicks things off with a little smoky mocha and plum. On the palate there's a certain creaminess, that's quite welcome with hints of a cafe mocha on the finish along with a gentle spice, and rounding it all off is this salty/sweet kinda nuance. As the evening wears on it develops more of a ripe dark berry flavour, making everything nice and full-bodied. After an hour the finish has evolved into a vanilla-cinnamon and creme-de-cassis finish and linger; yet another bottle I have enjoyed from "The Club".
