• WINERY Brokenwood
  • GRAPE Pinot Noir
  • YEAR 2008
  • COUNTRY Australia
  • REGION Hunter Valley

We tasted dozens of Australian Pinot Noirs before we (finally!) found this one from Victoria. It’s silky, plump and perfectly balanced.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Brokenwood winery is based in the Hunter Valley, a good 450 miles northeast of the vineyard in Beechworth where winemaker Iain Riggs gets grapes for this Pinot Noir. The nine-hour drive is worth it to Riggs, who searched for years to find a site cool enough to grow great Pinot. At the foothills of the Victorian Alps, Beechworth’s higher elevations have proved hospitable to the grape. This wine is a blend of three different Pinot Noir clones, each contributing subtle differences in taste.

SMELL IT

Red currants, crushed cherries and a cool note of fresh pine.

TASTE IT

Tart but not bitter, with smooth, licorice-tinged flavors of raspberries and plums.

SERVE IT

Serve at cool room temperature.

PAIR IT

Good acidity and soft tannins make this great with everything from fish (salmon, tuna) to poultry, pork and light red meat dishes.

Leek-and-Pecorino Pizzas