"Confrontational Therapy" Protocol 2022

Throughout the past year I confronted my palate with grape varieties I usually do not enjoy all too much. Diplomatically put! Yes, I very much “enjoy” to confront myself with personal prejudice or other not all too pleasurable matters. In case of fermented grape juice, it might be a rather easy undertaking. In case other engagements, objects, affairs etc it is most certainly much more challenging. Anyway, I digress ... as always! For my palatal confrontation 2022 I've tried to select wines very carefully. Most of them have been consumed fully and over several days. A few were limitedly consumed over at least two days and subsequently these ones continue their rest-existence elsewhere. For instance the existence in a not all too shabby sauce or just venturing out into world of the discharge pipes and beyond. Furthermore I do not wish to bore the engaged reader longer than absolutely necessary – hence this time I will try to keep my tasting notes as concise as possible. Sometimes probably insufficiently short. I suppose a correlation between enthusiasm towards a specific wine and the length of the corresponding tasting note might be rather evident. Enough! Let's get it over with ...

Merry Christmas with William Downie Cathedral Pinot Noir 2020, Gippsland

Time for a quick Christmas Pinot Sip from Victoria! Ultra transparent sundrenched rubiness with a mildly murky veil around the shoulders of its temporary Zalto Burg body. In the nose a certain flintiness – not sure why, radiant violets, perhaps a clove or two, some traces of pickled gherkins and of course tons of ripe strawberries – later stronger on the raspberry side - and lush plums on the rocks. Very vital, lively and welcoming nose indeed! On the palate quite lean, acid driven and packed with cool aromas of strawberries as well as spicy plums. On the second day much more dominated by raspberries. All in all a little bit warmer fruit on the tongue than in the conk. Super sappy throughout the entire tasting! Very well adjusted touch of assorted spices including shy cinnamon, definitely much more juniper, black pepper and an almost nonexistent whiff of nutmeg paired with few dried roses and a little bit of fresh blood. There might be one or two roasted peanuts as well! Not sure though – doesn't sound all too appealing to me anyway - I hope not! Very convincing structure with decent tannin'ish ruggedness thanks to it's undeniable youth. Just the perfect entry level Pinot Noir with plenty of statement potential. Not really: in the face natural style - which was absolutely fine for my tongue! It presented its qualities in a more refined manner! Downright very decent***** Pinot fun! Drink now or over the next one or two Christmas'es! Speaking of which: Merry Christmas Everybody!