2005 Pinot Noir Tasting

Every year our friend Curt puts on a very special horizontal tasting of Pinot Noirs.

This year it was the 2005 vintage. According to Curt's notes, it was magnificent in Burgundy (9/10 from Hugh Johnson - the best vintage for a generation) and excellent in Australia (95/100 from James Halliday) and California (97/100 from Dan Berger).  The ratings from New Zealand and Italy were a bit more average, but the wines we tasted were pretty special in any case.

It's a real treat to taste a single varietal from a multitude of geographies and a multitude of producers, especially with a bit of age. This year was no exception and interestingly, just because a wine was your favourite one year, doesn't mean its going to be your favourite the following year. But that's only because you get really spoiled for choice - its a tough job comparing great with even greater!  This year my pick was a French wine - the Anne-Francoise Gros, Vosne Ronaee Aux Reas.

This is an event worth waiting all year for - Curt goes to great lengths to put these wines in the right order, provide detailed notes and pours his love and passion for wine into the mix.  Coupled with great company and great food hosted by great friends (this year at Jo and Elle's) its always the recipe for the perfect wine tasting.

Thanks to everyone for a great day!

This Year's Line Up

Curt at work - with a smile!