Needs Time: Ten Minutes By Tractor
… sublime Pinot Noir from Mornington Pensinula …
Although vines were planted in Mornington Peninsula in the late 1800s, it was not until 1972 that the gears changed and the area started producing high quality wines. The combination of a cool maritime climate, mild summer temperatures with extended autumn warmth, and diverse soil types, generates an ideal environment for growing top quality Pinot Noir. The area sits within my definition of the Pacific Rim where this grape variety is producing exceptional wines.
Richer and fuller than their counterparts in Burgundy, a number of the producers are now creating wines that have excellent ageing potential. Ten Minutes By Tractor is one such example.
We visited the property in July last year, and were warmly greeted by the current owner Martin Spedding. The winery was originally established in 1997 by three farming families who were ten minutes apart by tractor. Hence the name. Martin visited their cellar door 12th March, 2004, and finalised the purchase the following month. Over the last 20 years they have bought more vineyards and significantly expanded the operation.
We tasted three different wines last weekend and the overall feedback from the panel was to focus on the Judd. Both the Wallis and Coolart Road were very good, but the Judd was a significant distance ahead.
Judd Pinot Noir 2022, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia
Very rich, fragrant nose combining plums, cherries and cassis. The palate was concentrated, slightly closed at first, but after some time in the glass began to show the potential that another few years would deliver. The light oak ageing lifts the overall body and structure. It will age into a very classic Pinot with forest floor aromas becoming evident but retaining the concentrated fruits and very well balanced acidity that are in place today. I need to buy some more and forget about it until 2028 onwards. Would pair with duck to perfection, as well as rack of lamb.
£52.80 - VINVM - merchant link
