Taste Test | Jumping Creek Pinot Noir, Chardonnay from Australia

“God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot Noir," wrote winemaker André Tchelistcheff.

His point? Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape that is tough to master. But with the right conditions and skills, it makes some of the most desired -- and expensive -- wines.

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Its appeal is symbolized by the character Miles in the comedy Sideways, who loved Pinot Noir so much that the idea of ordering something else made him angrily exclaim, "I am NOT drinking any &#@%ing Merlot."

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Pnoit Noir

Anyway, I teamed up with two friends this week to taste Jumping Creek's 'The Amorous Swan' Pinot Noir from Australia's cool climate Yarra Valley. (Check out our CHEERS Q&A with vineyard owner/ballerina Hou Honglan in the article above this one.)

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This Pinot pours a light candy apple / tang hulu red, with delicate aromas of bing cherry and roses. There is a hint of mint -- or eucalyptus? -- and slight spicy and earthy notes.

The taste test revealed pure fruit and a light delicate structure. Smooth. A nice wine to sip with friends on a lazy Monday night. And a stark contrast to the big ripe fruity Australian wines often found in China.

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We tried Jumping Creek's 'Dancing Ballerina' Chardonnay, too.

Again, this is more delicate than many wines from warmer climates. It smelled lightly of toffee, fresh baked bread and ripe stone fruit like apricot, with a waft of smokiness. And was subtle and lean.

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When pressed to chose, one taster picked the Pinot Noir, one picked the Chardonnay, and one couldn't decide -- we prevented him from blending the two!

Review site Wine Orbit gave both of these wines 95 points out of 100. You can try them yourself and decide your own scores.

Original by Jim Boyce, Grape Wall of China 葡萄围城

Tap here to learn more about grapes and wine-drinking.

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