Written by: Russell Cook – Winemakers’ Choice Sales
15 June 2010Winemakers’ Choice Award 2010:
The Beauty
Beauty is relative; relatively debatable. “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”, so the proverb says. I recently came across this new version: “Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder”. Whoever coined it deserves a fist-bump! I find that the “beer-holder” one holds merit to wine as well. True beauty, however, must be cherished and appreciated – Pinot Noir is such a beauty.
“The Beauty” is the counterpart of “The Beast”. As a man and a woman have their strengths and weaknesses which complement one another, whilst simultaneously accentuatating each others uniqueness, so do Pinot Noir and Pinotage co-exist. Although they are both berries, they have their own personalities. I described “The Beast” as being thick skinned and harsh with tannins, but Oh just so full of flavour! So “The Beauty” has supple skin, fickle tannins and the most subtle yet elegant flavour.
The merit of the “beer-holder” with wine must be touched upon. Have you ever, after having tasted many wines, found the most incredible wine, one that makes angelic vibrato singing sounds after being tasted? And then, because it is “halo-ed”, you buy a case. Until days later you open another bottle of the best wine in the world only to find that it was the “wine kaleidoscope” – fist-bump.
True beauty is distinguished, characteristic and well kept. Pinot Noir is just that. It is truly beautiful. It needs to be treated so. As one brings out the feminine beauty of a woman by loving and caring, so the beauty of Pinot Noir needs to be nurtured. However, Pinot Noir is extremely unpredictable. Period. This is what makes a fine specimen truly great. The rarest of gems is always the most precious. A perfect example is absolutely phenomenal as it is just so rare!
Here are the gems, the Diamonds, of the Winemakers’ Choice Award
• Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2003
• Cape Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve 2003
• Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2007
• De Grendel Wines Pinot Noir 2008
• Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2008
