Wine regions - Pyrenees
Pyrenees Tasting Note
Pyrenees Victoria
The Pyrenees is a region dotted with high quality boutique wineries. Fragrant Shiraz and complex Cabernet Sauvignon excel throughout the region.
The Pyrenees Region is in the Western Victoria Zone. The Pyrenees Range is part of the western reach of the Great Dividing Range. The Avoca River runs north-south through the region.
The beautiful Pyrenees
Ranges
as seen from Warrenmang Vineyard
The climate is temperate with variations due to altitude. Much of the vineyard area lies between the towns of Avoca, Redbank and Moonambel.
Soils are acidic, sandy loams with quartz grains, a good draining quality.
The region first developed as a pastoral area and then was turned over to the gold rushes from the 1850s to 1870s. Vineyards were planted as early as 1848 but these early estates did not see past 1945.
The resurgence began in the 1960s when the French Remy Martin group established vineyards to produce brandy. They eventually changed course with the changing consumer market, producing sparkling and table wines at Chateau Remy, now Blue Pyrenees Estate.
The region is very scenic and there are plenty of cellar doors for the wine traveller a number of which are along the Sunraysia Highway, the main route from Ballarat to Mildura.
Vintage Report 2004
The 2004 vintage in Victoria was marked by very cool and dry conditions.
Picking started 3 weeks behind last year's vintage. However,
a late ripening in perfectly dry conditions brought about a classic
end to a successful harvest. Here again, abundance of fruit in the
vineyards was controlled by intensive crop thinning soon after veraison.
As a result, our 2004 vintage in the Pyrenees produced some average
sized crops, with great ripe flavours. We are very pleased with
our Sauvignon Blanc and Sparkling bases this year.
In my view, the 2004 vintage in the Pyrenees will be remembered
as a great year for reds. Our Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding
and so is our Shiraz. I should also comment that I find our reds
from the Pyrenees are more subtle than last year and more approachable
when young.Their fruit structure is by far the best I have seen
in years. We are extremely happy with the juice in the tanks. Both
our Shiraz and Cabernet are deep in colour and rich in flavour thanks
to an exceptional April. My bet is that 2004 will be a year to enjoy
laying down!
The 2004 is written by Leigh Clarnet - Chief Winemaker at Taltarni.
Many wine events centre around
the Avoca Race Course
Harvest time: mid March to mid May
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