1997 Pipers Brook Vineyard Pirie Vintage Sparkling

Pirie is the new sparkling wine to emerge from Pipers Brook in Tasmania, and it is a wine of world standing – even to the point of price. The long term question is will Australian’s pay a ‘French’ price for an Australian bubbly?Produced from a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, of which 40% of the base wine has been fermented and matured in old oak casks.Deep straw colour, with very fine bead. The nose is subtle with aroma of citrus, winter strawberries with a yeast autolysis background. The palate of the wine is relatively austere, and makes it the ideal food/aperitif wine. Creamy texture with flavours of citrus and hazelnut, very good length and persistence. Clean crisp acid finish, with lingering aftertaste of citrus, yeast lees and winter strawberries.
Cellar 4-5 years.

RATING: 88/100

VALUE: XXXX/5

Retasted: January 2002
This is Andrew Pirie’s sparkling masterpiece – an outstanding Australian aperitif, however it’s a tad too expensive. Bright straw colour with excellent mousse. Very fine persistent bead. Outstanding nose, with distinct yeast autolysis character followed by notes of hazelnut, nougat and a hint of grapefruit. Creamy palate texture. Excellent length – with real elegance and great persistence of flavour. Clean, perfectly balanced acidity (often difficult to achieve in Tasmania) followed by very long aftertaste of yeast lees, biscuit and cashews.
Cellar 3-4 years. (2004-2005)

RATING: 95/100

VALUE: XXXX/5