The Great Western range of wines provides an ideal introduction to the unique wine style of Great Western. These accessibly priced wines show detailed aromatic qualities set within a medium-bodied framework. The ‘continental’ climate, relatively unique in Australia, defined by cold nights and warm afternoons, means the fruit grown here develops flavours slowly through the day, building intense and varietal aromas and characters.

The fruit for this wine comes from 1980 and 1987 Pinot Noir plantings in the Concongella vineyards, at Best’s Great Western and the 1997 plantings at the elevated vineyard at Rhymney. Pinot Noir was first planted in the Nursery Block at Best’s in the 1860’s. It is believed that the origin of these vines was the James Busby collection, Australia’s first vines. These Pinot Noir cuttings were sourced from some of the finest vineyards in Burgundy. The original Best’s plantings are now thought to be the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the world, and one of these clones is thought to exist nowhere else in the world. 

There are a lot of positives here. It tastes of crushed roses and boysenberry, earth and red cherry, with savouriness holding sway but with bright, clear fruit putting up a good showing too. This is a light, fragrant red wine, well structured and well sustained. It's infused with eucalypt and feels individual from start to finish. Drink: 2025 to 2032; Price: $27.00; Date Tasted: January 2024; Alcohol: 12.5%; Rating: 93 Points & Special Value Star; Campbell Mattinson; James Halliday Wine Companion