Pfeiffer Wines Durif 2014

Rutherglen and Durif have had a long association going back well over a hundred years.
The 2014 Pfeiffer vintage was aged in French and American oak barrels for eighteen months.

Displays deep inky black-red colours.
Rich, brooding black fruit aromas. Cherry cola, black plum, blackberry, cedar smoke. Some peppery nuances.
There's a lot going on. Spicy ripe plum, blackberry, smokey black liquorice, chocolate and ferrous-type palate that is full and rich but doesn't have the brute strength like some other examples can have.

Concentrated mid-weight wine that has impact and generosity with the ripeness of the fruit playing centre stage. 
Warm, spiky mid-palate that then flows effortlessly to a spicy, mouth-puckering tannic finish. Whoa, where did my saliva just go ?
The chewy earthy tannins on a firm finish linger long.

There's a lot to like here. Great to drink now but this cracker is age-worthy until 2030.
Source: Sample courtesy of Pfeiffer Wines. ABV: 14.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $32.50.
Rating: 92+ Points. Website: http://www.pfeifferwinesrutherglen.com.au/home/

No comments:

Pfeiffer Wines Gamay 2016

Gamay was once referred to as the poor man's Pinot Noir but gone are those days when this variety from Beaujolais produced uninspiring lolly water wines suitable only for quaffing. Now, it has become serious with many cracking examples from Australia.  

 One of the stalwarts in its wine portfolio, Pfeiffer has produced Gamay for 31 consecutive years. The winery mentions that its old Gamay vines were planted in 1976, making Pfeiffer one of the oldest, if not the oldest producer of the variety in Australia. The 2016 vintage is a blend of those older vines and its younger ones (15+ years). 

The wine has an attractive pale garnet colour. 
Ripe red cherry, raspberry, some forest floor complexity and mineral slate aromas coming through on the nose.
The palate is brightly flavoured, packed with red berries, dark cherries and cinnamon spice. Has a good sweet savoury edge to the overall balance and comes in slightly lighter than mid-weight. 

Fresh and juicy to the taste, the acid keeping things tight and long. Texturally soft and supple, 
Dusty savoury tannins at the back end. Can be enjoyed now until 2021, chilled or at room temperature. 
For a variety not ordinarily associated with the Rutherglen region, this is a highly drinkable Gamay at a great price. Go get before the last of it disappears.
Source: Sample courtesy of Pfeiffer Wines. ABV: 13.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $18.00.
Rating: 91 Points. Website: http://www.pfeifferwinesrutherglen.com.au/home/

No comments:

Pfeiffer Wines Carlyle Chardonnay Marsanne 2015

A non-traditional blend of two classic varieties, Chardonnay and Marsanne (70/30) from the Pfeiffer Wines Carlyle vineyard at Rutherglen. Both varieties were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks before extended batonage and blending.   


 Light straw yellow colours.
Fresh and vibrant aromatics of white peach, lemon zest, dried flowers and fig. Some mineral flint action gives more brightness and lift to the tantalising nose.

Expressive, fruit-driven flavours of peach, honeysuckle, citrus and ginger, some ocean spray nuances on a full, rich palate. There's harmonious acidity keeping it all balanced and bright.  

 An oily lanolin texture gives the mid-palate a soft, round and creamy mouthfeel. Crisp and refreshing spiciness to the long finish.

This is a fresh unwooded version of varieties uncommonly combined together, the Marsanne adding a light fresh 'X' factor to the richer, weightier Chardonnay. Really well made wine. Enjoy now but cellar worthy until 2021. Recommended.


Source: Sample courtesy of Pfeiffer Wines. ABV: 13.7%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $16.50. 
Rating: 90 Points. Website: http://www.pfeifferwinesrutherglen.com.au/home/

No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)