TASTING NOTES ON CURRENT WINES

PIERRE'S CUVEE PRESTIGE
An elegant and unique sparkling wine with a slight pink tinge! Vibrant fruity Pinot Noir combined with the toasted buttery complexity of Chardonnay, create a montage of taste sensations. This sparkling wine has been hand crafted using the Traditional Methode Champenois technique and is the perfect accompaniment to any occasion worth celebrating. Only available at Bellarine Estate Cellar Door or in the restaurant.

2008 ‘SHARON’S VINEYARD’ RIESLING
From a fully mature 30 year old vineyard comes this distinguished and stylish Riesling. It is a delightfully pungent and aromatic Riesling nose consisting of green apples, lime talc and a floral musk character that float effortlessly from the glass. The palate is tightly focused with an intense flavour spectrum of lime, minerals, green pawpaw, with some floral powdery talc notes and a long fine drying finish, that lingers on and on and on! A super fresh and texturally expressive style of Riesling. Drink with crunchy thai flavoured salads or prawns.

2008 'O.M.K.' VIOGNIER
A layered nose of honeysuckle, mandarins, candied ginger and lemon. The palate has a softness and roundness from old French oak barrel fermentation which adds a lovely texture and complexity. It is full of citrus, honey and tropical flavours before a spicy and fresh cleansing finish. Rated 4.5 stars by The Age Epicure 'Uncorked', May 2010.

2008 'JAMES’ PADDOCK' CHARDONNAY
A brilliant pale straw yellow in colour, the combination of limestone soils, a cool maritime climate and thoughtful winemaking have produced this classic, elegant Chardonnay. Barrel fermented in French Oak and matured for 10 months, this wine exhibits fresh citrus, white peach and almond meal characters with a supportive creamy palate and an elegant oak influence. For lovers of fine chardonnay and seafood. Rated 91 Points by WineFront (Sept 09). Bronze Federation Square Wine Showcase April 2010.

2009 'PHIL’S FETISH' PINOT NOIR
Dark ruby red in color, this pure fruited beauty has an aromatic and intense nose of red berries, cherries and summer pudding with some savoury, mocha characters. The palate is vibrant and alive consisting of a sweet ripe fruit driven freshness. These flavours fill the front palate, with more red fruits, mocha and earth characters on the mid palate combining with fine tannins and the mystical pinot character to provide a long soft finish. An exquisite Pinot. Best enjoyed in the company of great food and good friends now, or cellar for 6-8 years. Silver at April 2010 Federation Square Wine Showcase. Rated 4 stars Winestate Magazine.

BELLARINE ESTATE 2008 ‘BELLATAGE’ DRY RED
A quixotic blend of Shiraz(55%) Merlot (40%) and Pinot Noir (5%). Why? Because we can… and it makes for some really interesting and rustic styled drinking. The wine is medium bodied with each variety bringing something to the party. Shiraz is rugged and earthy, Merlot is soft and cuddly, and Pinot is the silk and class. It’s medium bodied and savoury, with new leather and dried herb, black olive and blueberry aromas. The palate is fruit driven with some chalky tannins and good length. This should be consumed now with pizza napoletana or your mother-in-law’s burnt offerings from the BBQ!!!! (no disrespect to the wine!)

2008 'JULIAN’S' MERLOT
The best Merlot yet from Bellarine Estate. Alluring aromas of plums, raisons and grandmas brandied fruitcake, supported by some spicy, savory French oak characters. The palate has Bordeaux like fineness with soft supple plum and red berry characters supported by a fine linear tannin structure giving the wine lovely length and a drying finish. Very subtle French oak adds complexity. A mighty fine wine!! Drink now with pork chops and spiced cabbage or cellar for 3-4 years.

2008 'TWO WIVES' SHIRAZ
A complex and aromatic nose with savory and red fruit characters. Flavours of boysenberry, cranberries, and black cherries are mingled with smoked charcuterie, savory spice and soy characters. The palate is distinctly cool climate Shiraz, being medium bodied with vibrant and juicy red and blue fruit flavours complemented by fine tannin and white pepper, cinnamon and clove flavours on the finish. A long drying finish gives the wine great length and balance. Decant for early consumption or cellar for up to 10 years for secondary development. WINNER of Federation Square Wine Showcase April 2010 "People's Choice Award - BEST RED'.

2008 CELLAR RESERVE SHIRAZ-VIOGNIER
The colour is deep and intense yet vibrant and pretty - a wine of grace and power! It is beautiful cool climate Shiraz co-fermented with 3.5% of the seductive Viognier variety to loft the perfume and soften the palate. The nose displays layers of complex aromas; dark blackberries, blueberries, spice, smoke, rose petals and chocolate oak characters. The Viognier gives the aromas a pretty floral lift. The palate is structured around a core of dense and soft red berries,with bitter chocolate and black pepper flavours,with some savoury earthy overtones before a wave of fine grained tannins provide length and structure and a long expansive finish. This is what cool climate Shiraz Viognier blends are all about. Elegant, complex, powerful whilst maintaining balance. Drinking well now but will develop for a further 10 years in the cellar.

BELLARINE ESTATE “SHARON’S VINEYARD” LATE HARVEST RIESLING
This delicious dessert wine is an exquisite liquid gold. Rich and ripe, with powerful floral and tropical flavors balanced with lush sweetness and refreshing acidity. Enjoy chilled with fresh fruit or rich desserts now, or cellar for up to 6 years. WINNER at Federation Square Wine Showcase April 2010 'People's Choice Award - Best Fortified'.

'THE CURE' FORTIFIED PINOT NOIR
Light crimson in colour, this lively fortified pinot noir made from estate grown fruit and matured in French oak displays an alluring fruity and raspberry nose with a light raisin and Christmas pudding palate. Perfect for drinking around the fire with friends on a cool winter night.