2008 Pinot Noir Bay of Fires

The 2008 Pinot Noir spent 8 months maturing in oak, 30% of which was new. It has a pale to medium ruby color with pretty dark cherry and raspberry aromas and a spicy edge of mace and cassis. With swirling, some chocolate scents and a whiff of tomato leaf are uncovered. Crisp acid and a low to medium level of fine grained tannins provide backbone to the delicate berry flavors with long lasting persistence. This is drinking now but should keep through 2015. Based in Northern Tasmania, Bay of Fires is one of the leading producers on the Island. They are probably most famous for their premium sparkler, “Arras,” but regrettably they had completely sold out of this wine when I visited and had not even a bottle to submit for my tasting. Fortunately they produce plenty of other wines to garner interest. Their sparkling wines are all traditionally made (with the second fermentation occurring in the bottle). Under the Constellation Wines Australia umbrella, Bay of Fires is not currently exported to the US.