Quite complex initially but becomes very unbalanced with finish. Promised far more than was eventually delivered. Still drinkable, with decent flavours.
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Super value. Hints of smoke and menthol even, dark almost brooding fruits. Slight earthy funk. Gentle tannins and plenty of bright acidity all coming together in a most pleasant manner. generous and smooth overall - not unlike a young Nigel havers.
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This is why I like Pinot from Martinborough. The nose is delicate and lifted with cherries and chalky flowers, but there is a funky Burgundian undergrowth that is dark and brooding that makes you realise that as this wine opens, it is going to deliver across multiple layers.
As it's still quite young, there is a stalky character that plays along with the rest of the very balanced nose, and as you let it sit in the glass, this begins to part and the medicinal liqueur cherry and the crushed rock musk start to take their place.
The palette is quite forward and still very young, but as there is so much going on, I expect this initial acidity will begin to mingle with the other more dormant characters to create a spectacular wine in about 5 years time.
That doesn't stop me from polishing of this beautiful bottle right now. Great Pinot this.
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Martinborough Vineyards and Mount Difficulty tasting (Ivy Bottle Shop, Sydney): Pale ruby coloured. Medium minus intensity aromas of cream, strawberries and a slightly fishy/seaweed note. Accompanying this is some vanilla and a floral top note. In the quite big bodied mouth there are flavours of toast, slight singed fruit that resolve themselves as burnt and slight bitter. tannin starts to swamp on the medium finish.
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Excellent entry-level pinot. Complex and with good concentration. I wouldn't be surprised if some producer's Estate/Reserve wines were no better than this.
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Enjoyed this just as much as the Te Tera 2010. There's a roasted coffee note alongside the fruit on the nose. Supple and juicy palate that is restrained and savoury by NZ Pinot standards. Predominantly dark fruit with the acidity lending a little structure. Nothing forced or manipulated about this at all. A lovely wine that should continue to drink well for the next 2-3 years.
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Really nice flavors but a little light in the pants. Good clear bright fruit with some clove, cherry, clean acidic tannins. A bit of bitter tea on the finish. It just lacks weight and the feel is a little light. Nice drinking and good for the price. I think this could be mistaken for a nice Oregon Pinot. B/B-
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light, mineral and classy - this 13% pinot is pretty impressive stuff. savory cherry fruit and oak balance with an earthy taste and clear acid spine add up to a wine that would be an excellent ringer in a village burgundy tasting. it is still very young, but is enjoyable for its balance and directness.
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Shows some astringent cherries, mocha and savoury notes, but this was really far too young and unintegrated to drink. It has good components and some elegance, so best keep at least a couple more years.
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10/12/2014 - Templeton100 Does not like this wine: 83 Points
Quite complex initially but becomes very unbalanced with finish. Promised far more than was eventually delivered. Still drinkable, with decent flavours.
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3/31/2014 - kenny pacino wrote:
Super value. Hints of smoke and menthol even, dark almost brooding fruits. Slight earthy funk. Gentle tannins and plenty of bright acidity all coming together in a most pleasant manner. generous and smooth overall - not unlike a young Nigel havers.
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12/21/2013 - nic.fcn wrote: 89 Points
Still very easy drinking. For that price I'll get a few more bottles to drink in the next two years.
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6/26/2013 - jayedley wrote: 87 Points
Decent enough, but didn't blow me away.
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6/13/2013 - The New Alcoholic Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a very good wine and extremely good value for money. Forest floor, strawberries, smoke, perfect balance, persistent finish. Recommended
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6/8/2013 - AlexGarner Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is why I like Pinot from Martinborough. The nose is delicate and lifted with cherries and chalky flowers, but there is a funky Burgundian undergrowth that is dark and brooding that makes you realise that as this wine opens, it is going to deliver across multiple layers.
As it's still quite young, there is a stalky character that plays along with the rest of the very balanced nose, and as you let it sit in the glass, this begins to part and the medicinal liqueur cherry and the crushed rock musk start to take their place.
The palette is quite forward and still very young, but as there is so much going on, I expect this initial acidity will begin to mingle with the other more dormant characters to create a spectacular wine in about 5 years time.
That doesn't stop me from polishing of this beautiful bottle right now. Great Pinot this.
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4/10/2013 - chatters wrote:
Martinborough Vineyards and Mount Difficulty tasting (Ivy Bottle Shop, Sydney): Pale ruby coloured. Medium minus intensity aromas of cream, strawberries and a slightly fishy/seaweed note. Accompanying this is some vanilla and a floral top note. In the quite big bodied mouth there are flavours of toast, slight singed fruit that resolve themselves as burnt and slight bitter. tannin starts to swamp on the medium finish.
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2/22/2013 - startinoz wrote: 91 Points
Excellent entry-level pinot. Complex and with good concentration. I wouldn't be surprised if some producer's Estate/Reserve wines were no better than this.
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2/14/2013 - davestenton wrote:
Enjoyed this just as much as the Te Tera 2010. There's a roasted coffee note alongside the fruit on the nose. Supple and juicy palate that is restrained and savoury by NZ Pinot standards. Predominantly dark fruit with the acidity lending a little structure. Nothing forced or manipulated about this at all. A lovely wine that should continue to drink well for the next 2-3 years.
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1/9/2013 - Drinking Trees wrote:
Nose of burnt oak and dried leaves; no fruit. Medium-bodied, with notes of cranberry and blueberry. Juicy and acidic, but a little too bitter.
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10/13/2012 - MRichman wrote:
Dry with bright cherry and some darker notes underneath. A bit bitter on finish with black tar.
B-
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8/20/2012 - MRichman wrote:
Really nice flavors but a little light in the pants. Good clear bright fruit with some clove, cherry, clean acidic tannins. A bit of bitter tea on the finish. It just lacks weight and the feel is a little light. Nice drinking and good for the price. I think this could be mistaken for a nice Oregon Pinot.
B/B-
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5/24/2012 - Marc wrote: 86 Points
light, mineral and classy - this 13% pinot is pretty impressive stuff. savory cherry fruit and oak balance with an earthy taste and clear acid spine add up to a wine that would be an excellent ringer in a village burgundy tasting. it is still very young, but is enjoyable for its balance and directness.
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5/19/2012 - JustNathan wrote: 83 Points
Shows some astringent cherries, mocha and savoury notes, but this was really far too young and unintegrated to drink. It has good components and some elegance, so best keep at least a couple more years.
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