Shelmerdine Pinot Noir 2008

This wine placed No. 1 in this month's Decanter magazine Victoria/Tasmania Pinot Noir tasting. It averaged a score of 18.4 (one tenth of a point from being rated a 5 star wine). It was also one of the cheapest, at £11.99 (or £11.34 online) from, who else, Waitrose.

I'm always on the lookout for good, affordable Pinot Noir. It's rare, and because of that I don't drink it very often. I'm not partial to cheap Pinot - it's either thin and watery (French) or overripe (New World).

This wine does live up to its recommendation, however. It's all about restraint, and quite Burgundian. On the nose there are notes of sour cherry and citrus peel, and good strawberry/cherry fruit on the palate. Good acidity - it would be a good food wine, although we had it on its own. Good tannins as well.

I reckon this wine will sell out everywhere because of the Decanter tasting. We cleaned out our local Waitrose (all 8 remaining bottles), and there is currently one bottle available online. If you're a Pinot Noir fan, get some while you still can.

Shelmerdine

Pinot Noir 2008

Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Waitrose

£11.99

4/5