DAN'S WINE BLOG- THIS WEEK'S WINE REVIEW

This week I am talking about Pinot Noir, a subject I rarely talk about as the variety frustrates the stuffing’s out of me. I have tasted some outstanding Pinot Noirs over the last 35 years in the wine industry, from Bass Philip, Giaconda, #Soumah, Two Paddocks and a handful of others including some sensational Burgundies, most notably the breathtaking Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), tasted with Aubert de Villaine.

However, in general terms Pinot Noir drives me crazy, due to its price, variability and the number of mediocre producers around, so that finding a great value Pinot is like playing Russian roulette – very much a hit or miss affair. Even a good producer, due to seasonal variability will let you down with an iffy vintage. So I gave up and moved on to exploring the excitement of new emerging varieties.

Well stop the Press:?I just found a brilliant value for money Pinot in the new releases tasting parcel I received from #Aldi the other day.?Well worth talking about!

The?Les Argelières 2020 Pinot Noir Grand Cuvée?from Réunis à Cébazan Pays d’Oc IGP, is smashing! It is young, vibrant and juicy with attractive aromas of strawberries and raspberries plus a hint of spices. On the palate there is spicy cherries with just a smidge of fine vanillin oak tannins on the delightful, elegant finish.

This is no world beating, earth shattering Pinot like DRC et al, but it is superbly easy, tasty drinking and mind-blowing value for money at only $9.99 a bottle, making it this week’s wine of the week.

Hey,?I am not the only one impressed by this little beauty, it won a gold medal at the 2021 Berliner Wein Trophy Competition.

So, if you are lucky enough to live in a civilised state where Aldi are allowed to sell wine (not allowed by the dinosaurs in South Australia), get down to your local licenced Aldi supermarket, grab a bottle and see if you agree with me – This is the best value for money Pinot Noir currently available in Australia!!