Pennon Hill 2003, Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula ($20-something)

Pennon Hill is the second label of Montalto in the Mornington Peninsula.  This was a very nice wine indeed, at the medium/lighter end of pinot - which I like -  with and lovely mushroom/fungal aromas reminiscent of Pennyweight 2005 though perhaps not as ethereal.   Excellent balance.  A total pleasure to drink. 

Chrismont 2004, Marzemino, King Valley ($17)

Needed about 40 mins airing to flush out the tannins, before leaving a smooth wine with nice acidity and sweetness at the edge of the palate, but little in the mid-palate and little length to the finish.  A little bit of a disappointment given we enjoyed the cellar door tastings so much in 2005.

Pennyweight 2006, Pinot Noir, Beechworth ($30)

Given the 2005 pinot was one of the best I've ever had from anywhere, the expectation applied to 2006 is that much greater. In terms of style the 2006 is very different. It tastes like it has been aged for several years, yet this is only an '06. Secondardy flavours are present and little in the way of the acidity you get from a young pinot. Nor is there much of the young fruit.

The winemaker proundly told me it was his best pinot ever. This is good - we drank it straight after the Tin Cows wine that is in my previous blog entry - and was rounded with more potency than the Tin Cows.

Personally, I preferred the '05. However, the quality of this wine guarantees that I'll still be heading for Pennyweight's cellar door.

Tin Cows 2002, Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley ($18)

OMG: an aged pinot from a reputatble producer purchased from a major liquor store chain under $20. Can this really be?

Yes, it can. Hurrah!

And quite a nice drop too. Some of the stewed cherry flavours you'd expect from an aged pinot though not as intense as many. Good smooth flavour. Drank very well by itself, though when matched against a cheddar the acidity became a little more pronounced - so I'd say it is b etter by itself. So here we finally have it - a quaffable aged pinot under $20. Hurrah!