1998 Treehouse Pinot Noir

This is the first Pinot Noir made by Salitage under the Treehouse label. Medium weight with deep brick red colour. Restrained nose with some cherry spice overtones but quite subtle. The palate has excellent mouthfeel with a velvet smooth tannin structure, yet it lacks the power of conviction of great Pinot Noir. A very well made wine with strawberry and spice flavours which linger but by no means overwhelm. Drink over the next 1-2 years.

RETASTED 31/05/1999: Tree House is the second label of Salitage and the wines offer good value for money, but do not quite come up to the depth or concentration of flavour of the Salitage wines.Medium weight brick red colour. Acceptable but better colour is being achieved by other producers using a technique called 'cold bath.' The nose displays spicy beetroot, cherry and strawberry aromas with just a trace of volatility, but it remains acceptable. On the palate gamey cherry and strawberry flavours emerge and display distinct varietal character but are set back due to the relatively high acid and tannins. A wine that will repay a couple of years in the cellar.

RETASTED 15/06/1999: Medium weight brick red colour. The nose displays aromas of spicy beetroot and cherry with a hint of strawberry followed by a touch of volatility, however, it is still acceptable. The palate is showing gamey cherry, strawberry flavours. The tannins are far too firm. Cherry and game aftertaste. Cellar 2-3 years.