Saturday, October 21, 2023

Joshua Cooper Ray-Monde Vineyard Pinot Noir

 I am not a big fan of new wineries putting out wines at big prices without a history of success. However, at this winery, success is coming quickly. Just recently, Joshua Cooper has been named best new winery in the Halliday guide for 2024. But it is not exactly without history. Joshua Cooper is the son of Alan Cooper of Cobaw Ridge, the established winery in the Macedon Ranges. It has to be said, though, that while Joshua gained experience in this region, father and son do not necessarily see eye to eye, when it comes to winemaking. Anyway, today I am tasting the 2019 Joshua Cooper Ray-Monde Vineyard Pinot Noir.


Ray-Monde is a grower vineyard at 400m elevation between Sunbury and Macedon. The soil is poor, with bluestone rock prominent. Gravelly ironstone and basaltic clay form the soil.

The wine is very fragrant on the nose. Black cherry, kirsch, licorice, and earthy flavours combine in an ethereal texture. The wine is more linear than voluptuous, with excellent drive and energy. Fine tannins round out the sophisticated composition of this medium-bodied wine (12.5% alcohol) before it finishes medium plus. Macedon has delivered again.

Score: 95/+++

 

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