A Passion for Pinot Noir
Alex Trescowthick may not know each of his pinot noir grapes by name, but he certainly knows them intimately. As a small-batch winemaker, he focuses on a few varietals, and his passion for pinot noir is evident in every bottle he produces. Trescowthick often speaks about the concept of “pinot with character,” even though he acknowledges that the journey to create such wines can be emotionally taxing.
Having worked in both large and small wineries, Trescowthick finds his true calling in handling small parcels of grapes. This includes pinot grapes from his parents’ vineyard in Victoria’s Strathbogie Ranges. The result is a range of wines that reflect the unique qualities of the vintage, climate, region, and vineyard, each with its own personality that changes with the seasons.
This week’s special offer dozen from The Australian Wine Club showcases a trans-Tasman quartet of pinots, including Trescowthick’s Bogie Panther Strathbogie Ranges Pinot Noir 2022 (RRP $45), as well as high-scoring examples from the Adelaide Hills and New Zealand’s Nelson and Marlborough regions.
The selection includes the gold medal-winning 2023 Hunter’s Pinot Noir, which received 94 points from James Suckling, and the 2022 Brightwater Te Kahu Nelson Pinot Noir, rated 91 points by Wine Orbit. Also featured is the 2023 Vandenberg Six Brothers Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir, rated 93 points by Wine Orbit and Wine Showcase Magazine. These wines are discounted by more than a third, coming in at $26.99 a bottle.
The 2022 Vintage in Strathbogie Ranges
The 2022 vintage in the Strathbogie Ranges was particularly rewarding, a season that Trescowthick knows well from growing up there. However, even in good years, the quantities are genuinely boutique – only 98 dozen Bogie Panthers were produced in 2022.
“With pinot, every year is just nerve-racking,” Trescowthick laughs. “You can almost have one day that doesn’t go to plan, and you kind of see it in the wine and kick yourself for 12 months until you get to make the wine again the next year.”
“So it’s stressful, but it’s such an interesting variety and speaks to its region. Pinot is such a product of where it’s from that it’s worth the stress.”
Trescowthick notes that 2022 in the Strathbogie Ranges was slightly warmer than usual, allowing for the grapes to be harvested a fraction early. “It’s definitely a darker, more brooding vintage but with a really nice, supple palate that’s got a nice savouriness. It’s a bit deeper, a bit richer than we’ve seen some of the other vintages, and is going to work really nicely with cold meats or a charcuterie board – or if you really want to go fancy and cook some duck, then go for it.”
Trescowthick Wines Bogie Panther Strathbogie Ranges Pinot Noir 2022
The first draw of the aromas tells you this is indeed pinot with character: wild strawberry, ripe blackcurrant and blood orange swirl happily, with hints of spice and some earthy notes. Take a sip and there’s sweet fruit and vanilla at first, but a savoury edge of pan juices and burnt caramel on the finish, smoothly dressed in a nice level of acidity. 13% alc, RRP $45 a bottle.
SPECIALS $38.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen; $26.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.
Vandenberg Six Brothers Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2023
There’s complexity in them thar hills, right from the black tea and herbaceousness on the nose, sprinkled with strawberry and cherry. The fruit steps forward in the mouth, red fruits and red berries garlanded with more of the herby notes and flashes of acidity. Silky tannins nudge towards a long, beguiling finish. 93 points, Wine Orbit and Wine Showcase. 12.5% alc, RRP $50 a bottle.
SPECIALS $42.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen; $26.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.
Hunter’s Pinot Noir 2023
Though the dark ruby hue catches the eye, this is classic Marlborough in the end, and wonderfully so. Expect red fruit, cherry and vanilla as you breathe in, at least at first, as it’ll reward a swirl or two in the glass with notes of lavender and a hint of mushroom. The palate is juicy with redcurrant and cherry, some spice and a lick of savouriness. The acid would cut through some fatty duck nicely. 94 points, James Suckling. 13.5% alc, RRP $35 a bottle.
SPECIAL $26.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.
Brightwater Te Kahu Nelson Pinot Noir 2022
More evidence that thoughtful pinot is a wonderful thing. The nose offers all manner of savoury delights, with hints of tomato plant, roasted nuts, new leather and mushroom. The palate is light in body but full in flavour, with the plentiful fruit balanced by a savoury complexity and some soft, subtle tannins that would make it a fine dining companion. 13.5% alc, RRP $33 a bottle.
SPECIALS $29.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen; $26.99 a bottle in pinot noir dozen.
Pinot Noir Dozen
Three bottles of each wine above for $26.99. SAVE $165.12.
Order online or phone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST and quote ‘ACCJ’. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550. is partnering with The Australian Wine Club on this offer.
