Ten Minutes by Tractor Coolart Road Pinot Noir is only released in particularly high-quality vintages. This further adds to the consistency of releases. The 2018 and 2109 vintages are beautiful wines, showing an extra sheen with bottle age. The 2021 is more elegantly framed but promises to build more complexity and volume. It is nonetheless a fascinating wine, with all the elements in balance. Overall, the style seems to reach its best with a touch of warmth on the palate, yet highlighting the top notes of Pinot Noir. A few years of bottle age turns a quintet of fruit, tannin, acid, oak and alcohol into a riot of colour and complexity. The cooler and more elevated Judd Vineyard, comprising the French 115 clone, gives a more tightly structured and minerally style. The aromas are fragrant and pretty, with both primary red fruits and herb garden notes. Whole bunch characters bring a complexity and line that are appreciated more with air. I found the wines compelling for their ever-shifting kaleidoscopic character. Whilst my personal favourite is the Coolart Road style, the Judd Vineyard has a greatly appealing charm and mystery. A preview tasting of the 2021 Trahere Chardonnay and Pinot Noir revealed a quest for something of specialness that reflects vineyards site, precision sourcing, selection and winemaking excellence. The wines are both delicious and promise a series that adds to the fine wine story of Ten Minutes by Tractor and Martin Spedding’s outstanding team, including winemaker Imogen Dillon and her offsider vineyard manager Fabiano Frangi. Reviews for these wines will be published at a later date. Although I notice many of the older vintages from Ten Minutes by Tractor are sold out, you can still enjoy them in the wonderful Ten Minutes by Tractor Restaurant (which also boasts one of the finest regional restaurant wine lists in Australia).
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