Howard Park inaugural International Pinot Noir Tasting: Marchand & Burch victorious

Howard Park are famous for their Riesling and, each year, have hosted an International Riesling Tasting which I attended last year (see here).  This year witnessed their inaugural International Pinot Noir Tasting (going forward, they’ll alternate the tasting between Riesling and Pinot Noir). 

Since Howard Park’s owners, Jeff and Amy Burch (pictured), joined forces with Burgundy’s Pascal Marchand, they’ve been going red hot at the variety in both Burgundy and Great Southern, Western Australia under their Marchand & Burch label.  So I’m very sure they’ll be well chuffed at scooping the top spot for their Burgundy and 3rd and 7th place for their Great Southern Pinots against some stiff competition in this blind tasting.   They might also want a word in the ear of next year’s Landmark tutorial organisers, since no Western Australian Pinot Noirs were included in the Pinot Noir session.  Just saying…. 

Here are the results, together with the average score out of 20:                                                                                                 

1. 2007 Marchand & Burch Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru, Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France – 16.9
2. 2008 Ata Rangi, Martinborough , New Zealand- 16.8
3. 2008 Marchand & Burch Mt Barrow, Mt Barker, WA, Australia – 16.5
4. 2008 Felton Road, Central Otago, New Zealand – 16.5
5. 2008 Giant Steps Gladysdale, Yarra Valley, Victoria , Australia – 16.5
6. 2008 Ashton Hills Reserve, Adelaide Hills, SA, Australia – 16.5
7. 2008 Marchand & Burch Gibraltar Rock, Porongurup, WA, Australia – 16.3
8. 2008 Picardy, Pemberton, WA, Australia – 16.1
9. 2007 Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France – 16.1
10. 2008 Pegasus Bay, Waipara, New Zealand – 16.0
11. 2008 Curly Flat, Macedon Ranges, Victoria, Australia – 16.0
12. 2008 Freycinet Vineyard, East Coast of Tasmania, Australia – 15.9
13. 2008 Provenance, Geelong, Victoria , Australia – 15.8
14. 2008 Mt Difficulty, Central Otago, New Zealand 15.8
15. 2008 Prancing Horse Estate, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia – 15.6
16. 2007 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Les Saint-Georges”, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France – 15.3
17. 2007 The Eyrie Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA – 15.3
18. 2007 Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Premier Cru “Vigne de L’Enfant Jésus”, Beaune, Burgundy, France – 15.2

You can read more about the tasting on Howard Park’s website here.