De Bortoli, Riorret The Abbey Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

Lovely tertiary pinot, surprising how good it is considering its age and perceived short cellaring potential.

Blind Chard and Pinot Tasting : Perfumed with violets and roses with cherry and spicy oak. Nice texture on the palate with good fruit freshness and flavour. Good length and composure.

Good balance between herbal and cherry notes, showing some decent tertiary development. Drink now. Very tasty.

Slight bitter note on opening, but faded. Nice balance between primary fruit and secondary development. Not too much structure left, but there's some grip there. Not as good as 2010 but still good.

Crimson in colour, turning slightly brickier red in colour towards the end after an hour of breathing. Fantastic when just opened and after few minutes in the glass - forward vibrant fruits and spices, along side silky tannins with a looooong finish that seems to fade away before triumphantly returning on the back palate. Still felt like it may have a year or two left in it, but definitely in its peak drinking window. Towards the end of the meal …

2014 Sydney Royal Wine Show - Exhibitor's Tasting & Trophy Wines Lunch (Homebush & Four Seasons Hotel) : [gold medal] {diam} Dust, smoke and cherries. Ripe and attractive. Gorgeous texture, like drinking velvet. It’s not without ultra-fine tannins and good acidity; it’s neither hot nor flabby. Medium-bodied, with a decently long finish. Top stuff, although in a fairly obvious style at this age. Aging is anyone’s guess.

Promising silky texture but the flavour is definitely a few years off being interesting. Come back in 2014!