Pinot Noir in Australia has come a long way in the past 20 or so years. The emergence of cool climate viticultural has seen this capricious variety emerge to produce wines of genuine finesse and delicacy. That said, even Australia’s coolest regions are warmer than the continental climate experienced in Burgundy.
In Australia, the best Pinot Noir producing regions tend to either be coastal (Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula) or at elevation (Macedon Ranges). In this context, Geelong can be rather marginal. Notwithstanding the fact that Geelong is home to two of Australia’s finest Pinot Noir producers (Bannockburn and By Farr), it can tend toward a slightly big-boned expression of the variety.
Brown Magpie is a relatively new label from the Geelong region. Its Pinot Noir from the excellent 2012 growing season is literally bursting with fruit. Burgundy it is most definitely not, neither is it trying to be. This is a full flavoured, warm hearted Pinot Noir for those who like their wines full and cuddly. While it didn’t quite strike a chord with this imbiber, many would enjoy its friendly fruit forward character and lack of pretention.
2012 BROWN MAGPIE PINOT NOIR
Producer: Brown Magpie
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2012
Region: Geelong, Victoria
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $25.00
Date tasted: 11 December 2014
Tasting Note:
Mid-ruby in appearance. Bright nose of strawberry coulis, five spice, dried herbs, slightly gamey. Sweet fruited up-front, soft tannins, fruit and meaty, quite easy going in style. Not particularly complex or long, but solid.
Score: 15/20
In Australia, the best Pinot Noir producing regions tend to either be coastal (Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula) or at elevation (Macedon Ranges). In this context, Geelong can be rather marginal. Notwithstanding the fact that Geelong is home to two of Australia’s finest Pinot Noir producers (Bannockburn and By Farr), it can tend toward a slightly big-boned expression of the variety.
Brown Magpie is a relatively new label from the Geelong region. Its Pinot Noir from the excellent 2012 growing season is literally bursting with fruit. Burgundy it is most definitely not, neither is it trying to be. This is a full flavoured, warm hearted Pinot Noir for those who like their wines full and cuddly. While it didn’t quite strike a chord with this imbiber, many would enjoy its friendly fruit forward character and lack of pretention.
2012 BROWN MAGPIE PINOT NOIR
Producer: Brown Magpie
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2012
Region: Geelong, Victoria
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $25.00
Date tasted: 11 December 2014
Tasting Note:
Mid-ruby in appearance. Bright nose of strawberry coulis, five spice, dried herbs, slightly gamey. Sweet fruited up-front, soft tannins, fruit and meaty, quite easy going in style. Not particularly complex or long, but solid.
Score: 15/20
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