Steels Gate Pinot Noir 2013

Steels Gate Pinot Noir 2013 (Yarra Valley, Vic)
13.5%, Screwcap

While there is some excitement about the 2013 vintage in the Yarra I’m yet to be convinced by the consistency – some good wines, sure, but that warmth has produced largesse without the usual delicacy.

This Pinot is a good case in point. The early Steels Gate wines have all been impressive (a label to watch), yet this just seems a bit big. Dark red colours (rather than the ruby of last year); ripe, rippling lush red fruit and some of the bacon bit and rare roast beef ripeness seen in Pinot from much warmer sites, complete with a little alcohol burn.

This is still a good Pinot, yet this is just not in the same league as the pretty 2012. Drink soonish.

Source: Sample
Tasted: October 2014
Drink: 2014-2018
Score: 17/20, 90/100
Would I buy it? Not quite.
Buy online: Steels Gate website