Reflecting is something we tend to do at the end of the year. After the Christmas buildup we brace ourselves for a period in which to slow down and ponder what has just been. In line with this, I thought it might be a novel idea to end the year with a wine from the year just passed. Admittedly there are not too many reds out there just yet, but I am not one to give up so easily. Just a couple of weeks ago I ran into the handsome Syd from Thick As Thieves who showed me this pretty offering made just in time for summer. The blend here is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Gamay fruit out of the Yarra and King Valleys of the almighty Victoria.
This reflection wine satisfied all the boxes aromatically with notes of juniper, amaro herbs, guava and loganberry. I suppose it is a mixture of characters that I am not all that familiar with, but it was intriguing nonetheless. The palate is gentle in flavour with a continuation of herbs and earthy forest floor tones coming through. The Thick as Thieves labels are straightforward and simple. For the wine geeks out there, they also note the acidity, which in this case is interestingly high at 3.71pH.
The effect in the mouth comes across as rounded in the mid-palate and then a late acid effect providing a tartness to the finish. It is balanced though, which is what we want. In fact this Pinot Noir/Gamay blend would make the perfect daytime tipple that you would imbibe while consuming summery things like barbecued prawns and pulled pork sandwiches. Happy summer for all.
Stockist: King & Godfree, Carlton