Nov. 20, 2023
Latest Tasting Notes November 2023
TASTING NOTES
November 2023
Apogee Deluxe Vintage Brut 2020
100% Single vineyard (Chardonnay 46 %, Pinot Noir 47%, P.Meunier 7 %) Alc. 12.5%. A cool season, with above average rainfall and a dry finish during grape ripening has delivered beautifully restrained sparkling wines with excellent acidity and freshness. Harvest date 31 March 2019. Tiraged November 2020, and now disgorged with 31 months on lees. “Pale green gold hue, the bouquet has vanilla brioche overtones, and the palate shows pinot noir mid-palate fullness followed by a long finish.”
Pair with Oysters, Sicilian Green Olives, Parmesan cheese
Apogee Deluxe Vintage Rosé 2020
100% Single vineyard. Alc.12.9% (Pinot Noir 75% (Clones 115,521) Chardonnay 17%, Pinot Meunier 8%). Harvest date 1 April 2020, slightly later than normal, is a result of a cooler and wetter summer than average often leading to excellent white wine and sparklings; delicate copper pink, a deep, complex bouquet of raspberry, strawberry preserve with summer flowers, minerals. A very delicate but intense palate with lingering berry fruits. Mid-body after the full 2019 with excellent freshness on finish.
“Very light salmon-pink colour, very pretty to regard; the bouquet is dried rose petals, pot-pourri and a little quince-paste. Huon Hooke, The Real Review, July 2023. 95 Points.
Pair with Duck breast, duck and orange pâte and fresh baguette
Apogee Alto Pinot Gris 2023
100% Single vineyard. Alc. 13.7 %. 100% Pinot Gris Clone D1V7. A cool La Niña season, with a GST of 14.5˚C (average for Lebrina) and with many small berries in the bunch. “Late” harvest by Australian standards on 14 April 2023. “Thirty percent old oak ferments, 30% malolactic fermentation. Youthful and light yellow. Crushed flower petal and pome fruit aromas with totally integrated oak, some lusciousness and tropical flavours on the palate. Rounded acidity and a small lick of tannin for texture. Some extra winemaking innovations coupled with great ripeness have elevated this wine to the front rank of our vintages.” Andrew Pirie, August 2023.
Pair with Green Thai Curry Chicken, fresh Asparagus Hollandaise
Apogee Alto Pinot Noir 2022
Only our early maturing Dijon clones (Pinot Noir clones 777 and115) go into this wine. A warm year with average rainfall has favoured the pinot noir grapes. Harvested 12 April 2022. 100% French oak. A delicate and aromatic style of pinot, with very intense flavour on the mid-palate and a long finish. The mid-tannin footprint and striking aroma is reminiscent of southern villages (Beaune and Volnay) of the Côte d'Or in Burgundy. showing concentrated fruit and fine, supple tannins in excellent balance.
Pair with roast chicken, ripe Brie or d’Affinois Double Cream washed rind.