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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2014 and 2017 (based on 7 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 87.9 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 18 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Krassens on 11/2/2016 & rated 87 points: Meh. Too watered down, lacking intensity in the fruit. (1188 views) | | | Tasted by dfitzg2 on 8/8/2016 & rated 89 points: very nice complement to Pork Chops and Brown Rice (1356 views) | | | Tasted by JimmyHaulinHogs on 2/18/2016 & rated 88 points: Overall, it's an adequate Pinot with a M-O-R feel to it that is notably flat and lacking zestiness, with the exception of the bitterly tart elements in the aftertaste that, taken all together, leave it constantly in danger of becoming tiringly uninteresting if not for the exceptionally good level of tannin to give it some spark. Not much fun factor here – it's just going through the motions. Despite this, however, it is surprisingly sippable with a better-than-the-usual depth of flavour and the occasional [rare] flash of interesting notes and near ideal level of prominent tannin. There are so many other Pinots that lack a similar depth of flavour, so give this one some credit for that, bumping it from an 85 to an 88. It has a touch more sweetness than most other Pinots which also seems good and especially noticeable as the bottle unfolds. (1412 views) | | | Tasted by Shiaxonna on 7/12/2015 & rated 87 points: Crystal clear ruby color. Powerful nose of classical pinot fruit slightly scented with biodynamic traits of dust, redcurrant and sour feet. Palate is cold and lovely succulent and full if sour apples and redcurrant. Lacks a bit in depth and complexity but has a lot of elegance. Better nose than palate, but the palate grows with air and paired with food. In this case italian style pizza with four cheeses. Very good! This producer has a lot going for them in the mid-expensive range.
50+5+13+12+7 (87p) (1651 views) | | | Tasted by Gruffalius on 4/28/2015 & rated 90 points: Light, fruity, smooth. Great for the price. (1667 views) | | | Tasted by gsmfan on 4/18/2015 & rated 88 points: A tad jammy. Not a bad pinot but not great either. (771 views) | | | Tasted by jmcmchi on 1/3/2015 & rated 88 points: Attractive medium body. Soft with sweet cherry fruit, gentle acids holding it nicely (701 views) | | | Tasted by Man in Black on 11/20/2014: The wine is clear and bright with a pale ruby colour. The nose is clean and developing, showing medium intensity aromas of red fruits (ripe strawberries, red cherries, raspberries), flowers (roses) and pungent spices (liquorice, black pepper). The wine is dry in the mouth with a medium(+) acidity. It has medium(-) ripe soft tannins and a medium(+) alcohol. It has a medium(-) body and medium(+) intensity flavours of red fruits (ripe strawberries, red cherries, raspberries), flowers (roses) and pungent spices (liquorice, black pepper). The finish is medium(+).
It is a very good quality wine. It shows clearly the typicity of a Pinot Noir through its pale colour and red fruits and floral aromas, that in addition to the spicy notes provides the wine with some degree of complexity. The acidity and the fruit concentration are well-balanced and the finish is long enough for a very good wine, however to be outstanding it should show even more complexity.
Can drink now, but it has enough acidity and fruit concentration to develop more complex tertiary aromas over the next 2-3 years. (819 views) | | | Tasted by Boutip on 9/15/2014 & rated 89 points: Nice touch of fruits (raspberry) with dry finish. Very refreshing and easy to drink with good amount of complexity. No oak or tannin are clearly identifiable. (750 views) | | | Tasted by mjwstickings on 9/6/2014 & rated 87 points: A solid medium-bodied Pinot tucked in nicely between the austere Burgundian archetype and the more luscious Californian versions; vibrant fruit dominating the nose, balsamic strawberry along with sour cherry and some plum, with spicy earthiness in the background and a hint of candle wax; quite satiny in the mouth, with sufficient tannic structure; not terribly complex and certainly not profound, but overall a pleasant and well-balanced affair. (749 views) | | | Tasted by Lilja on 5/3/2014 & rated 86 points: From memory.
Fruity nose with a little pepper and some hints of roasted oak.
Potent acidity with lots of fruit and a touch of green bitterness.
Not bad, got better after a few hours, but not great either! (963 views) | | | Tasted by Nightingale on 2/7/2014 & rated 85 points: Slight bricking, cherries on palate but disappointing length and mouthfeel. Perhaps just suffered in the company of other better wines. (692 views) | | | Tasted by rjonwine@gmail.com on 1/14/2014 & rated 92 points: Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; tasty, medium bodied, silky textured, tart red berry, rosehips, mineral palate; could use 2 years; medium-plus finish 92+ points (428 views) | | | Tasted by trastevere on 10/9/2013 & rated 88 points: Forrest floor and dusty berries on the nose. Velvety smooth fruit, nice texture, good finish. (944 views) |
| By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (7/16/2013)
(Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2013, IWC Issue #169
(Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir Yarra Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (3/4/2013)
(innocent bystander innocent bystander yarra valley pinot noir) Subscribe to see review text. | Decanter
(Innocent Bystander, Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (1/14/2014)
(Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir Yarra Valley) Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; tasty, medium bodied, silky textured, tart red berry, rosehips, mineral palate; could use 2 years; medium-plus finish 92+ points 92 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of The WINEFRONT and Vinous and Halliday Wine Companion and Decanter and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Innocent Bystander Producer website
Innocent Bystander has forged a reputation for delivering some of the Yarra Valley’s most consistent, over-performing, affordable, varietal wines.
Using 100% hand picked fruit, wild ferments and gravity-flow winemaking techniques, their wines, made with minimal filtration and fining, reflect the climate, soil and topography of the Yarra Valley.
These strikingly branded wines have established a strong reputation in restaurants and fine wine stores around the world.Pinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Australia Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)Victoria Wines of Victoria (Victorian Wine Industry Association)Yarra Valley Wine Yarra Valley (Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association) |
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