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NZ's Finest Pinot Noir Collection

Fine Wine Delivery, Mt Wellington, Auckland

Tasted August 21, 2014 by evanqian with 706 views

Flight 1 - Marlborough (7 notes)

Red
2011 Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
93 points
medium red, clear, open nose, medium/high acidity, tight tannins. well crafted pinot noir, balanced, polished and flawless, modern style.

Alc 14.0%, pH 3.56, TA 5.4 g/l, RS 0.2 g/l

BC 94, HH 92, WS 89, RC 18.5+

Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 17/20; Overall: 5+3/10
TOTAL: 93+/100
Red
2012 Greywacke Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
88 points
generally good pinot noir, highlighted acidity, smooth texture. need foods. a little stem greenness in the spicy finish. still young. a little disappointed with its big reputation.

Alc 14.0%, TA 5.6 g/l. Jamie Goode 93, WS 92, ST 89

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 15/20; Overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 88+/100
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2012 Block 88 Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
84 points
medium ruby, open nose, good weight, a little diluted flavour. short finish. made by Auntsfields

Alc 14%, RC 18-

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 14/20; Overall: 2+2/10
TOTAL: 84/100
Red
2010 Staete Landt Pinot Noir Paladin New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
88 points
medium red with brick hue. high acidity, balanced by savoury notes, medium bodied, medium spicy finish. good potential.

Alc 13.5%; TA 6.1g/L;

WA 90, WS 90, WE 89, Decanter 90, JC Lee 85, BC 85

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 15/20; Overall: 5+3/10
TOTAL: 88+/100
Red
2013 The Crossings Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough, Awatere Valley
87 points
red cherry and strawberry, slightly sweet, light, fresh, simple but good structure, and the most of all, it tastes yummy!

Alc 14%, TA 6.0 g/l

Ap: 5/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 16/20; overall: 3+1/10
TOTAL: 87/100
Red
2012 Spy Valley Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
86 points
intense aromas: dark fruits. red fruits in mouth and supported by earthy and cola notes, quite Marlborough style! medium spicy note.

Alc 13.5%, TA 6.4 g/L, RS <2.0 g/L

HH 92, WS 88, BC 87, RC 18+, MC 4 stars, Winestate 4 stars.

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 15/20; overall: 3+2/10
TOTAL: 86/100
Red
2010 Hans Herzog / Hans Family Estate Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
90 points
nice perfume nose, with floral and violet. good density and length. a graceful pinot noir.

Alc 14%, RS < 1 g/L , JC Lee 84, BC 90

Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 16/20; overall: 3+3/10
TOTAL: 90+/100
1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 2 - Waipara/Nelson (4 notes)

Red
2012 Greystone / Grey's Peak Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
94 points
medium/dark ruby. very rich flavours, red/dark fruits, silky tannins, elegant earth and fungi, some herbal, toffee, chocolate undertones, moderate weight, good concentration and length, all balanced and smooth. long savoury finish. still young but already complex, and surprisingly well mellowed. awesome!

RC 19-

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 13/15; palate: 18/20; overall: 5+4/10
TOTAL: 94/100
Red
2012 Neudorf Pinot Noir Tom's Block New Zealand, South Island, Nelson
89 points
Wild yeast, unfined, unfiltered. medium/dark ruby, purple hue. open nose, red fruits, fresh and high acidity, supple tannins. medium(+) bodied, good concentration. earth, mineral and oak notes with fruity core. medium dry finish.

Alc 14.0%, TA 5.2 g/L, Dry. HH 91, BC 85, RC 18.5, MC 4.5 stars

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; palate: 16/20; overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 89/100
Red
2011 Neudorf Pinot Noir Moutere New Zealand, South Island, Nelson, Moutere
91 points
medium/dark ruby. a little closed nose. higher acidity and more concentrated than Tom's Block. velvety tannins, good weight. long finish. some flavours from wild/natural yeasts taste like Jura, interesting. still young, like to see how it develops 5 years later.

Alc 14.5%, TA 5.7gL, Dry. BC 88, RC 19, ST 87, HH 89, JR 16.5, MC 5 stars. Jamie Goode 94

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 11/15; palate: 17/20; overall: 5+4/10
TOTAL: 91+/100
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2011 Wild River Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
81 points
below average Waipara, soft aromas, simple structure, some red fruits and spice, short dry finish. made for wine retailer 'fine wine delivery', a quality but boring commercial wine.

13.5% alc, BC 83, RC 17+

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 10/15; palate: 14/20; overall: 1+2/10
TOTAL: 81/100

Flight 3 - Central Otago (11 notes)

Red
2010 Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
92 points
biodynamic. dull and dark red. pure flavours, dark cherries and other dark fruits. herbal, earth and cola. moderate acidity and tannins, supple, smooth. some farm barn notes, reasonable and acceptable if you like burgundy. medium finish with perfume hints. all elegant style.

Alc 14%, BC 93, JC Lee 90, ST 90, RC 19-

Ap: 3/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 18/20; overall: 5+4/10
TOTAL: 92/100
Red
2013 Wooing Tree Pinot Noir Beetlejuice New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
84 points
dense dark rose red, unusual. dark cherry and violet nose, moderate candy flavours, dry finish with some savoury notes. not bad, but no exciting.

Alc 13.5 %, RC 18+

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 15/20; overall: 2+2/10
TOTAL: 84/100
Red
2010 Wooing Tree Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
90 points
dark ruby, opaque. beautiful nose: dark fruits, floral. ripe dark fruits dominating, powerful, high level acidity, balanced by fine grained tannins, good concentration and weight, smooth texture. medium finish.

Alc: 14.5%, TA: 6 gL. AirNZ 2012 Gold, Easter Show 2012 Gold, CWSA Gold, MC 5 stars, SK 94, Winestate 4 stars, RC 4 stars

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 16/20; overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 90/100
Red
2012 Quartz Reef Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
89 points
biodynamic. medium ruby. ripe red and dark berries. moderate style, some complexity, medium savoury finish. some complexity but lacks a little weight and flavour intensity, not as impressive as a premier class Central Otago. following burgundy elegance? or just winemaker's understanding? not my cup of tea.

Alc 14.0%, TA 5.6 gL. JS 94, BC 93, WA 92+ (Lisa).

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 16/20; overall: 5+3/10
TOTAL: 89/100
Red
2012 Terra Sancta Pinot Noir Mysterious Diggings New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Bannockburn
85 points
purple hue, fresh red fruits and violet nose, quite simple PN, reflects Central Otago characters, not as intense as Jackson's Block.

Alc 14.3%, TA 5.9 gL, RS <1 gL

controversial reviews. JS 92, WS 88, JC Lee 84, BC 82, Geoff Kelly 15 (over-ripe and excessive reduced sulphurs)

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 15/20; overall: 3+2/10
TOTAL: 85/100
Red
2012 Terra Sancta Pinot Noir Jackson's Block New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Bannockburn
90 points
medium garnet, violet perfume, dry, firm but silky tannins, lofty, grand structure. fruity finish.

Alc 14%, TA 5.4 gL, RS <1 gL

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 17/20; overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 90/100
Red
2012 Valli Pinot Noir Gibbston Vineyard New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
94 points
I believe this could be a 'Wow' wine for many people. dark garnet, strong dark fruits nose, violet, intense cherry and plum, good density and weight, powerful, tannic but velvety, complex, multiple layers, long lingering finish with herbal, mint and floral hints. balanced on very high altitude, amazing!

Alc 13.0%, TA 8.9 gL

JS 93, BC 93, SK 97, RC 19.0, criticized by Geoff Kelly about excessive reduction (16.5/20), using "reduced sulphurs" is not just fun to 'add another layer', that means probably unpleasant smell 10 years later, especially under screw cap. whatever, only time can judge.

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 14/15; Palate: 17/20; overall: 5+4/10
TOTAL: 94+/100

GK retasted this wine recently, rated 19.0+, #1 of 57 NZ PN. He found remarkably different from his previous note, mild reduction this time, he assumed that's just bottle variation. He is honest, just too sensitive on reduction :-P - 14/8/2017
Red
2009 Misha's Vineyard Wines Pinot Noir Impromptu New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
90 points
moderate style, fruit coated firm tannins, melt together very well, smooth texture, good structure and gently presented. a little exposed alcohol in the end. it shows elegance and complexity now, also shows great cellar potential. The original winemaker put "2-4+ years" on official notes, however it obviously will continue to develop over the next 3-5 years, very interesting one from a great vintage. I like it.

Alc: 13.8% / pH: 3.66 / TA: 5.7 g/l.

Bob Campbell 83 (May 2011), Raymond Chan 17 (Apr 2011), 18+ (Dec 2013)

Ap 5/5, Ar 12/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 3+3/10
Total 90/100
Red
2012 Mt. Difficulty Pinot Noir Central Otago New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
90 points
this Pinot Noir defines Central Otago. medium dark ruby, clear. all balanced and smooth. dark cherry and other red/dark fruits, firm tannins, fine-grained, fresh acidity. medium weight and length, some herbal, earth and savoury notes. medium dry finish.

pure and clean tastes, moderate style, austere but dignified.

Alc. 14% T/A 5.4 gL pH 3.7

RP 89, JS 93, WS 89, RC 18.5+

Ap 4/5, Ar 12/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 4+3/10
Total 90+/100
Red
2011 Ostler Pinot Noir Caroline's Waitaki Valley New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Waitaki Valley
92 points
deep dark ruby, purple hue. red berries and floral nose, fresh and bold, sweet savoury palate, very fine tannins, heavy and firm, good potential excellent structure, good strength and length, shows some elegance as well. medium/long finish with some mineral and perfume notes. a super star from Waitaki Valley, wonderful terroir!

14.1% Alc, BC 94, IWC 2013 Gold.

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 4+3/10
Total 92+/100
Red
2013 Maude Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
89 points
bright ruby. dark fruits, violet. juicy with earth and herbal notes, savoury. silky tannins. medium spicy finish. nice central otago. RC 18.5+

Alc 14%, TA 5.9 gL, pH 3.45

Ap 5/5, Ar 12/15, Palate 16/20, Overall 3+3/10
Total 89/100

Flight 4 - Martinborough (5 notes)

Red
2012 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
93 points
medium dark ruby. fresh red cherry and strawberry nose, super smooth texture, firm tannins, silky, red and dark fruits flavour dominating, all mellowed and balanced, extremely round. more savoury than fruity sweet. 2nd layer shows mild earthy, herbal, floral and mushroom and a little chocolate hints. slowly warm in glass, good structure but lacks density. surprisingly short finish, not matching to its reputation as top NZ PN.

Alc 13.5%, TA 5.4 g/l . WS 91, WE 93, RC 18.5, BC 96, SK 96

Ap 4/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 5+4/10
Total 93+/100
Red
2013 Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir Te Tera New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
88 points
pure and clean, a little sweet, crashed strawberry, fresh acidity. simple, tasty, savoury.

Spiegelau 2014 - Gold, BC 87

Alc 14%, TA 6.25 g/L, pH 3.58, RS 1.0 g/L

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 16/20; overall: 4+2/10
TOTAL: 88/100
Red
2011 Cambridge Road Pinot Noir Animus New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
86 points
medium dark garnet with purple hue. intense earthy, farm barn. elegant smooth tannins. good weight and length. dry finish with spice and bitter chocolate. some sulphur, also the aroma is not my cup of tea.

Alc 13.3% TA 4.7 gL. WS 91, HH 85

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 10/15; Palate: 15/20; overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 86/100
Red
2012 Craggy Range Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Te Muna Road Vineyard New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
93 points
light ruby, clear and bright. nose shows fresh red and dark cherry and berries, floral perfume underlaying, mild aromas but lasting till long finish. silky tannins, smooth texture, earth and herbal notes bring some complexity, good structure. modern and lush, moderate style, flawless.

elegance and balance, no other words I can use.

Alc 12.8%, TA 4.5 g/L, pH 3.86
WS 93, RC 18.5-

Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 18/20; overall: 4+3/10
TOTAL: 93/100
Red
2012 Escarpment Pinot Noir Kupe New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
96 points
dark ruby, inky/purple hue. intense dark berries, floral and herbal nose. smooth velvety tannins, moderate acidity, mushroom, meaty, salty savoury, forest undergrowth, root and leave, down to very deep, complex and grand structure. first time I sensed both excitement and tension from a Pinot Noir, unforgettable feeling. long long finish. still young, huge potential. one of the greatest PN of NZ.

Alc 12.5%, TA 5.3 g/L, pH 3.76, RS 0.05 g/L

RC 18.5+, ST 90, BC 95

Ap: 4/5; Ar: 14/15; Palate: 19/20; overall: 5+4/10
TOTAL: 96+/100
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