more New Zealand Pinot Noirs

Tasted Saturday, August 26, 2023 by WindFlyer with 41 views

Flight 1 - "The Boroughs" (2 Notes)

  • 2019 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 92 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    ruby/garnet and light- to medium-body. earthy notes of wet leaves, sap and spice interweave the dark cherry and subtle red berry nose; rose petals emerge with time. as in the style for the house, it leads with structure; minerality and soft tannins envelop the fruit as it blossoms mid palate with clarity that delineates the accents of blood orange, spice, and earthiness. impressive length.

    well-balanced, remarkably open and accessible already, this should improve with bottle age. great upside potential here.

    13.5% AbV; 35% whole clusters; eleven months in French oak (35%); another six months ageing after blending prior to bottling

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2019 Fromm Pinot Noir Clayvin Vineyard 92 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    deep ruby colour and medium body. dark cherry in the nose with lovely mushroom, rock, star anise, and floral accents. concentrated fruit flavours coat the mouth against a firm tannic backbone; complexities already in display in the mid-palate, buoyed by a lively acidity. moderately long finish. more elegance and complexity that i generally associate with Marlborough.

    young and drinkable but so much more to go some distance. i'd put this away for a couple/handful of years.

    13.5% AbV

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 2 - Central Otago (4 Notes)

  • 2019 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Morrison Vineyard 93 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

    very translucent ruby in the glass and a light body. a bit reticent in the nose, but rewarding with flinty and earthy notes that permeate the red and blue berry aromas. savoury spice accents add a wilderness aspect that is also present in the fruit as it glides across the mouth. lovely acidity and subtle tannic support, moderately long finish with a bit of heat.

    a delicate style of Pinot that while accessible now, can really reward cellaring.

    14% AbV; from a cool site literally in the afternoon shadow of the Southern Alps

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2020 Akitu Pinot Noir A1 92 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

    very translucent garnet colour and light to medium body in the glass. earthy and mineral notes leaven the dark fruit aromas while floral whiffs add elegance. the mouth follows the nose in a lovely savoury and juicy tension. good structure to balance the fruit, ample acidity, and good length.

    a bit of time should do wonders to sculpt the depth of flavours here. good upside potential!

    13.5% AbV; from a cool site just south of Wanaka (Mt. Barker)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2020 Valli Pinot Noir Gibbston Vineyard 91 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

    garnet colour and medium body. macerated red fruit, tree sap and clove spice are dominant on the nose with subtle earthy, floral and herbal accents. very structured in the mouth, the fruit flavours run to the dark side of the spectrum and take on tea-like notes. on the back end a balsamic note emerges and adds some brightness to a moderately long and somewhat drying finish.

    very tightly coiled at the moment, this will take a handful of years to unwind. has good upside potential

    13% AbV;

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2021 Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn 93 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Bannockburn

    dark garnet in the glass. alluring nose of dark cherry, currants and fresh strawberries gently spiced, herbed and perfumed with violets. juicy and concentrated on the attack, layers are already in display with sweet and savoury spice accents as it flows seamlessly across the mouth. good acidity and tannic structure, and a long persistence with a fresh fruit note.

    well-balanced and open at the moment, it will likely be more rewarding with moderate cellaring.

    14 AbV; blend of the four estate vineyards Felton Road has in Bannockburn; 20% whole clusters; thirteen months in 25% new French oak

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×