It may just be me, but I have noticed more than a couple of new pinot noirs from the Yarra Valley being quite pale in colour, looking more rosé than red wine. Perhaps it’s a sign of increasing maturity and confidence with pinot noir in the region that winemakers are willing to let the often lightly coloured pinot noir be as it is.
The Little Yering pinot noir from 2011 is made by Yering Station and is a supple little number. A medium(-) intensity pink in colour, it is rosé like in the glass. For context, the mourvedre rosé I tried before it, I thought darker. But proving colour is no bar to quality, it opens to a light intensity aroma of cherry and stalk, perhaps some inoffensive VA there too, and a certain attractive fruitiness. The palate is light with quite pretty cherries, spice and a supple texture, resulting in a balanced and enjoyable wine. Good drinking here from a challenging season. Good
Abv: 12.5%
Price: $18
Source: sample
Vendors: http://www.yering.com/
Website: http://www.yering.com/
Tasted: October 2012