medium+ ruby, fresh red cherry and voilet perfume. mild style, fresh acidity (m-), light tannins, subtle chocolate and earth note and salty savoury. m- finish. compare to 2011 vintage (IWC international trophy), it shows more elegance but less concentration.
m+ depth ruby, little brick rim. sour cherry, exposed alcohol (14.3%), some herbals and whole bunch notes, unclear structure, lack complexity. medium but messy finish mixed with some oak and earth notes. can feel winemaker's effort trying to step forward from B2's purity and freshness, unfortunately over handled on this vintage.
ruby with slight brick hue. spicy herbal, ripe berries, moderate in mouth. solid and vibrant acidity, nice! soft tannins, some alcohol standing out, short finish.
medium+ depth ruby, with purple hue. restrained fruity nose. smooth tannins, m+ acidity, with some nice perfume and oak notes. good density and balance, m- finish.
bright ruby. red cherry and blueberry, with some perfume and herbal nose. balanced palate: m+ acidity, m- silky tannins, medium/full bodied with round structure, good strength. medium finish with some chocolate notes.
Alc: 14.5%, TA 6.5 g/L, RS <2.0 g/L, pH 3.37. WA 92+, RC 19.0-, Sommelier Gold, JS 91, HH 90, BC 89, ST 87, MC 4 stars.
m+ depth ruby. nose shows dark berries, spicy herbals, violet perfume. good density, sweet savoury, m+ acidity, fine grained tannins. medium finish.
as Valli gibbston valley vineyard impressed me by its super intensity and power, this one is surprisingly moderate, showing elegance side and nicely balanced.
deep crimson, purple rim. restrained nose: cassis and some oak. m+ tannins, chewy, m+ acidity, intense oak influence, medium structure, balanced but less complexity, m- finish. still young.
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
deep garnet. intense black fruits nose. fresh acidity, velvety tannins, balanced and moderate style. medium finish with oak spice and creamy notes. good cellar potential but already enjoyable now.
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 14% Malbec medium garnet, even and clear. moderate nose, some cassis and cedar. palate shows solid structure, medium acidity, medium and furry tannins, cream chocolate, cedar and subtle mint. medium finish with some herbal/greenish notes. good density. compare to other big names in Hawke's Bay, it has less complexity, but more elegance. very accessible now also good cellar potential.
Alc 12.5%, TA 5.5 g/L, pH 3.68. WA 92+, WE 87, JC Lee 80, JR 15.5; RC 19.0-, SK 94, MC 4 stars, GK 18.5. JC Lee disliked its 'greenish tannins', 'quite grippy with a rough edge', I assume my bottle has benefited from long time breathing, so I suggest decanting for 2 hours before your tasting.
2012 Neudorf Pinot Noir Tom's Block 91 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Nelson
medium ruby, slight rose hue. fresh and sweet red fruits, subtle chocolate, light smooth tannis, medium acidity, moderate and balanced. m- finish.
Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; palate: 16/20; overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 91/100
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2013 Brennan Pinot Noir B2 90 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Gibbston
medium+ ruby, fresh red cherry and voilet perfume. mild style, fresh acidity (m-), light tannins, subtle chocolate and earth note and salty savoury. m- finish. compare to 2011 vintage (IWC international trophy), it shows more elegance but less concentration.
Alc 13%, Easter 2015 Gold, IWC 2015 Gold
Ap: 4/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 17/20; Overall: 4+2/10
TOTAL: 90+/100
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2011 Brennan Pinot Noir 84 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
m+ depth ruby, little brick rim. sour cherry, exposed alcohol (14.3%), some herbals and whole bunch notes, unclear structure, lack complexity. medium but messy finish mixed with some oak and earth notes. can feel winemaker's effort trying to step forward from B2's purity and freshness, unfortunately over handled on this vintage.
Ap: 4/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 14/20; Overall: 2+3/10
TOTAL: 84/100
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2010 Delta Vineyard Pinot Noir Hatter's Hill 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
ruby with slight brick hue. spicy herbal, ripe berries, moderate in mouth. solid and vibrant acidity, nice! soft tannins, some alcohol standing out, short finish.
Alc 13%, RC 18.5, JC Lee 81
Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 16/20; Overall: 3+3/10
TOTAL: 88/100
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2013 Soho Wine Co. Pinot Noir McQueen 90 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
medium+ depth ruby, with purple hue. restrained fruity nose. smooth tannins, m+ acidity, with some nice perfume and oak notes. good density and balance, m- finish.
IWC 2014 Gold, NZIWS 2014 Gold, DAWA 2014 Silver.
ST 90+, RC 18.5, SK 95
Ap: 5/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 17/20; Overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 90+/100
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2011 Spy Valley Pinot Noir Envoy 92 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
bright ruby. red cherry and blueberry, with some perfume and herbal nose. balanced palate: m+ acidity, m- silky tannins, medium/full bodied with round structure, good strength. medium finish with some chocolate notes.
Alc: 14.5%, TA 6.5 g/L, RS <2.0 g/L, pH 3.37. WA 92+, RC 19.0-, Sommelier Gold, JS 91, HH 90, BC 89, ST 87, MC 4 stars.
Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 17/20; Overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 92/100
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2013 Valli Pinot Noir Bannockburn Vineyard 90 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
m+ depth ruby. nose shows dark berries, spicy herbals, violet perfume. good density, sweet savoury, m+ acidity, fine grained tannins. medium finish.
as Valli gibbston valley vineyard impressed me by its super intensity and power, this one is surprisingly moderate, showing elegance side and nicely balanced.
Alc 13.8%, TA 8.1 g/L, pH 3.35. RC 19.0-
Ap: 5/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 17/20; overall: 3+3/10
TOTAL: 90+/100
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