Nov. 16, 2020
APOGEE'S 2016 Deluxe Vintage Brut in Halliday's Top 100, 2020
James Halliday has selected Apogee Deluxe Vintage Brut 2016 as one of his top 7 Australian Traditional Method sparkling for 2020. At 97 points Apogee Brut rates in his top 3 Australian sparkling wines, and equals the score given to Dom Perignon Vintage 2010 ( Price $285 per bottle).
APOGEE TASTING NOTES
November 2020
Apogee Deluxe Vintage Brut 2016
(Pinot noir 39%, chardonnay 53.3%, pinot meunier 7.7%)
Warm dry year. Harvest date 17 March 12.5% alc. 40-46 months on lees. “Pale salmon hue, the bouquet is very complex, the palate even more so, with spiced strawberry fruits, brioche and soft acidity on the long finish. 53 % chardonnay,40% pinot noir 7 % pinot meunier. 45 Months on lees. 97 Points, One of 7 Australian traditional method Sparkling chosen by James Halliday in his Top 100, Weekend Australian, November 14-15, 2020.
Apogee Deluxe Vintage Rosé 2016
(Pinot Noir 76%, chardonnay 12% pinot meunier 12%)
Warm year. Harvest date 18 March 12.5% alc. 25% oak. This is another strong year for the rosé. Pale pink salmon colour, fine bubbles and the typical Apogee vineyard terroir on the nose – minerally raspberry and strawberry with some sour cherry. Palate is full but dry and long-lasting.
“Light salmon-pink colour, a little darker than rose-gold. Superb bouquet of lightly toasted bread, grilled nuts and pastry-shop aromas; a hint of meringue. It's soft and fluffy on the palate; creamy-textured and rounded, with a refreshing finish laced with very subtle liqueuring. It finishes dry, with precision balance. Very good indeed.” Huon Hooke 95 Points.
‘A triumph of incredible line and length, and hands-down Andrew Pirie’s greatest creation yet.’ 96 POINTS. Rated no.3 Australian sparkling wine. Tyson Stelzer. The Australian Sparkling Wine report 2020.
Apogee Alto Pinot Gris 2019
100% Pinot Gris. Another Warm season. Harvested 5 April 2019. Alc. 13.5%. 10% oak. 10% mlf. The Apogee site confers its characteristic minerally rose, pear and lily floral perfume giving it more of a European character. Fuller than the 2018, the palate is dry but rich on mid-palate and a nip of tannins on the finish. Will age well but equally drink well this summer 2019/20. “Spicy, gardenia, faintly lychee-like aromas, the palate soft and round, with some viscosity and oiliness”. James Halliday 93 Points.
Apogee Alto Pinot Noir 2019
Only early-maturing Dijon clones (Pinot Noir clones 777, 115 and 521) go into this wine. Warm season. Harvested 11 April 2019. Alc. 13.5%. 100% French oak. Côte de Beaune Burgundy in style meaning soft texture and highly perfumed. Sweet fruit, red berry- summer pudding nose, mid-bodied with our characteristic lovely fleshy texture. Good acidity and light tannin in the balance. The Apogee site confers its characteristic perfumed red berry aroma plus some emerging gamey characters. Drink 2020-2028. Food match- roast chicken, Brillat-Savarin soft ripened cheese. “pristine fruity aroma evoking fresh cherry, with sidelights of strawberry, raspberry and balsamic herbs, and a subtle overlay of smoked charcuterie.” Huon Hooke 93 Points. “The latest vintage of Alto is a Pinot Noir for hedonists. Succulent black cherries and redcurrants tumble out of the glass and into your mouth, followed by a flood of fine savoury tannins that flows across the tongue. Max Allen, Australian Financial Review, 5 June 2020.
www.apogeetasmania.com