2005 Kooyong "Massale" Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
AUSTRALIA

I couldn't have been more pleased to tuck into the best Pinot I've ever had from the land of Oz the other day - the 2005 Kooyong "Massale" Pinot Noir from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula! At $22, this beauty drinks like a wine worth quite a bit more than its price tag and boasts just enough forward fruit to sing "New World" but without a hint of the overextraction or jamminess I'm often disappointed to find in New World Pinots.

Due to its proximity to the water, the Mornington Peninsula boasts a cool maritime climate that allows producers such as Kooyong to grow varieties like Pinot that crave cooler climates. In fact, along with up and coming Western Australia, this area is one of Australia's coolest grape growing regions. Keep your eyes on Kooyong, a dynamic new producer that's been making Chardonnay and Pinot from 100% estate grown fruit since 2001, the operation's first release year.

Tasting Notes
The "Massale" is ruby colored with juicy fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry and raspberry backed by a lovely backbone of backing spices and herbs de Provence. Also, watch for notes of sweet cinnamon, dried leaves, anise seed and fennel. Perky acidity means it'll work great with food but also drinks like a song on its own.

Overall, the Massale smells a lot like Russian River Pinot, but with a marked undercurrent of spice and herbs that's totally unique. Its supple tannins mean it'll work fabulously with all sorts of foods, but I would pair it up with a roast pork loin seasoned with herbs de Provence for a killer combo. Yum.

Plus: 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

--- Courtney Cochran, aka Your Personal Sommelier, provides personalized wine services to adventurous wine collectors, purveyors and enthusiasts, making wine accessible and fun for those who think outside the mainstream wine box. Visit her site at www.CourtneyCochran.com.