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The 2012 Lindeman’s Bin 99 Pinot Noir is sourced from multiple vineyards in South Eastern Australia. Lindeman’s winery was founded in 1843 and is currently owned by Treasury Wine Estates, who also produce Penfold’s, Stag’s Leap and Beringer Vineyards, along with 49 others. The 2012 grape vintage in Australia was the best in decades. The Bin 99 Pinot Noir was aged in American for 4 months. I found this wine selling for $4.99, regular price, not sale price. Wine Spectator gave the 2012 Bin 99 Pinot Noir 85 points (which is a good score, a solid B), I know there is emphasis on 90 points, but it is probably a greater achievement to produce an 85 point five buck Pinot (from Australia, of all places), than it is to make a forty dollar 90 point Pinot Noir. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is a clear, see-thru ruby-red. The nose has cherry, raspberry, herbs, mushroom, dried autumn leaves and oak spice. This is a light to medium bodied Pinot, with a firm mouthfeel. It tastes of tart cherry, ripe plum, strong herbal tea and POM Wonderful. The mid-palate brings a soft brush of spice, vanilla and black pepper. The tannins are smooth, the acidity is well-balanced and gives the Bin 99 very respectable length. The finish is fairly full, fades before long, but lingers awhile.
The 2012 Lindeman’s Bin 99 Pinot Noir is a remarkable wine, a 5 buck Pinot Noir with no real issues, it is a very respectable wine. It is not the equal to a Pinot Noir from Burgundy or Oregon, but there is a family resemblance. In the past cheap Pinot Noir tended to be light bodied, fruity, simple, but refreshing Red wines, good for a warm summers day, but something very different from the more expensive Pinot Noir. The Bin 99 does not have the same elegance, depth or complexity as the expensive stuff, but it is also 1/10 the price. A REAL Pinot Noir for $5, who would believe it?
