Blinded this on my brother and sister. Both immediately were thinking Pinot Noir and, when they saw the screwcap, agreed on New Zealand! Both really thought this to be high quality. In any case, this reinforces my thoughts that this has turned the corner and is evolving into a very good Pinot. The structure has softened a bit and is now more enjoyable.
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Showed really well on this night. Brought to a party and it was gone quickly. This may be turning the corner and coming into its prime drinking window.
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Similar to the last bottle. This is structured, with some bitter tones. This softened a bit after leaving overnight in the fridge and was more enjoyable.
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Still presenting as a structure-driven Pinot. There's a core of fruit, with some bitter tones that seem to lead the flavor profile, but the tannin, acidity, and stemminess(?) are more at the forefront. This still needs to evolve more to get further into my enjoyment zone - maybe a lot more.
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Structured and earthy, with a beautiful expression of Lowburn Central Otago fruit. Very classy and elegant. Time in hand, but is drinking well in early maturity.
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Another good bottle. Oak influence a little too prominent at this stage for my palate - perhaps more time will integrate it better. Plenty of fruit to help cover it pretty well.
Ok, this bottle showed better. Nice new world Pinot -- maybe a little too heavy on the oak -- perhaps a little more time to integrate it. Got this case for $10USD per bottle at auction, so very good value here, but at the CT average of $40USD, this is an easy pass. If scoring, 89 - 90.
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I don't know, maybe it was my mood, but this bottle seemed a little thin and lacking depth, with toasted wood notes more prominent. Didn't much enjoy this bottle with dinner and afterwards. Probably just a bad pairing or just an off day for my taste buds.
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So, spent more time with this bottle over two evenings. Clear new world presentation, with sunny and pure Pinot fruit, though made with a light, deft touch. Acidity is in good balance with the fruit. Fine tannin is plentiful. Mouthfeel is supple and appealing. Flavor profile has some complexity and is also appealing, though no one will mistake this for Burgundy. Really nice to drink now, but this could stand to integrate a little more and become really outstanding. This could improve and develop for many more years.
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Drank this with Paella at a dinner party, so I did not pay too close attention to it. This seemed very structured for Pinot, with a fair amount of tannin. Seemed new world in flavor profile, but old world in restraint. Overall, enjoyable, but I'll spend more time with the next bottle. Gut feeling score, 88 - 90.
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2019 Visit to Cromwell (Central Otago, NZ): New oak 20%. Lighter ruby. A pretty nose with red currant, red cherry and a little raspberry. In the mouth, that attractive berry and cherry fruit. Quite intense acidity. However, quite straightforward, lacking the nuance of the 2015s. It was a young wine but I was unconvinced by this 2016. (87 – 89).
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Second bottle I've had of this vintage, not as impressive as what I remember of the first one but still excellent.
Gorgeous ruby, great clarity. Cassis, nutmeg and allspice nose. Light, with very little body. Silky and spicy. Blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries, floral notes. A long smooth finish.
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Beautiful cheery red colour, hint of sweetness in the aroma matched with sweetness on the palette, fresh plum, cherries, strawberry. Good body and acidity with a medium length finish. Excellent!
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Had had time to breathe before we had a glass (not sure how long, it had been opened for a prior customer). Was very smooth. Really nice light flavour. Steve thought a bit light for him.
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Disregard the tasting note of Tom Gibson I am urged to say as a lead in. If someone says that a 2016 premium Pinot lacks the flavors of a fully mature wine he has qualified himself with 76 points rather than the wine itself. This is not Vivino, at CT one is expected a minimum standard of wine knowledge. Having tasted 2000+ Pinots by now, I can comfortly say that this is a 90-93 range wine. TN: Light ruby, expressive nose of bright red fruit, cranberry, raspberry with vanilla, cedar, sweet spices, primary. On the ripe, fruity, side but not overboard. Not with the depth of a Felton Road Block 5 but decent length. Lots of enery on the palate, fresh. Youthful, should age well given the balance. While I am a Burgnick, there is so much to love in these lively Central Otago Pinots. I think NZ is the most exciting Pinot area outside of the Cotes de Nuits.
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Very drinkable table wine for a nice meal with family and friends. Great accompaniment to chicken. Lacked the full flavour of an aged Pinot, so may have drank a little early.
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2/3/2024 - PIntag wrote: 91 Points
Still some phenolic bitterness and stem notes, but this is drinking nicely now and should improve further for the next few years at least.
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10/24/2023 - PIntag wrote: 91 Points
Blinded this on my brother and sister. Both immediately were thinking Pinot Noir and, when they saw the screwcap, agreed on New Zealand! Both really thought this to be high quality.
In any case, this reinforces my thoughts that this has turned the corner and is evolving into a very good Pinot. The structure has softened a bit and is now more enjoyable.
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10/7/2023 - PIntag wrote: 91 Points
Showed really well on this night. Brought to a party and it was gone quickly. This may be turning the corner and coming into its prime drinking window.
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6/16/2023 - PIntag wrote:
Similar to the last bottle. This is structured, with some bitter tones. This softened a bit after leaving overnight in the fridge and was more enjoyable.
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3/12/2023 - PIntag wrote:
Still presenting as a structure-driven Pinot. There's a core of fruit, with some bitter tones that seem to lead the flavor profile, but the tannin, acidity, and stemminess(?) are more at the forefront. This still needs to evolve more to get further into my enjoyment zone - maybe a lot more.
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8/21/2022 - PIntag wrote:
Interesting and complex Pinot with plenty of structure. Those looking for a hedonistic new world ripe Pinot will likely not enjoy this so much.
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7/23/2022 - Marc wrote: 90 Points
Structured and earthy, with a beautiful expression of Lowburn Central Otago fruit. Very classy and elegant. Time in hand, but is drinking well in early maturity.
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5/27/2022 - PIntag wrote:
Another good bottle. Oak influence a little too prominent at this stage for my palate - perhaps more time will integrate it better. Plenty of fruit to help cover it pretty well.
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4/17/2022 - PIntag wrote:
Ok, this bottle showed better. Nice new world Pinot -- maybe a little too heavy on the oak -- perhaps a little more time to integrate it. Got this case for $10USD per bottle at auction, so very good value here, but at the CT average of $40USD, this is an easy pass. If scoring, 89 - 90.
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4/7/2022 - PIntag wrote:
I don't know, maybe it was my mood, but this bottle seemed a little thin and lacking depth, with toasted wood notes more prominent. Didn't much enjoy this bottle with dinner and afterwards. Probably just a bad pairing or just an off day for my taste buds.
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4/1/2022 - PIntag wrote: 91 Points
So, spent more time with this bottle over two evenings. Clear new world presentation, with sunny and pure Pinot fruit, though made with a light, deft touch. Acidity is in good balance with the fruit. Fine tannin is plentiful. Mouthfeel is supple and appealing. Flavor profile has some complexity and is also appealing, though no one will mistake this for Burgundy. Really nice to drink now, but this could stand to integrate a little more and become really outstanding. This could improve and develop for many more years.
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3/26/2022 - PIntag wrote:
Drank this with Paella at a dinner party, so I did not pay too close attention to it. This seemed very structured for Pinot, with a fair amount of tannin. Seemed new world in flavor profile, but old world in restraint. Overall, enjoyable, but I'll spend more time with the next bottle. Gut feeling score, 88 - 90.
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1/14/2022 - HowardNZ wrote: 87 Points
2019 Visit to Cromwell (Central Otago, NZ): New oak 20%. Lighter ruby. A pretty nose with red currant, red cherry and a little raspberry. In the mouth, that attractive berry and cherry fruit. Quite intense acidity. However, quite straightforward, lacking the nuance of the 2015s. It was a young wine but I was unconvinced by this 2016. (87 – 89).
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11/9/2021 - Kokopele Likes this wine: 89 Points
Cherry, soft plum, medium bodied n medium finish. Easy drinking PN
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8/22/2021 - jsperl Likes this wine: 86 Points
Second bottle I've had of this vintage, not as impressive as what I remember of the first one but still excellent.
Gorgeous ruby, great clarity. Cassis, nutmeg and allspice nose. Light, with very little body. Silky and spicy. Blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries, floral notes. A long smooth finish.
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3/9/2021 - Christopheroz wrote:
Lacking in depth of flavour, slightly over tannic for me.
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9/7/2020 - jsperl Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful cheery red colour, hint of sweetness in the aroma matched with sweetness on the palette, fresh plum, cherries, strawberry. Good body and acidity with a medium length finish. Excellent!
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5/17/2019 - ElleS Likes this wine: 93 Points
Had had time to breathe before we had a glass (not sure how long, it had been opened for a prior customer). Was very smooth. Really nice light flavour. Steve thought a bit light for him.
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12/21/2018 - Collector1855 wrote: 92 Points
Disregard the tasting note of Tom Gibson I am urged to say as a lead in. If someone says that a 2016 premium Pinot lacks the flavors of a fully mature wine he has qualified himself with 76 points rather than the wine itself. This is not Vivino, at CT one is expected a minimum standard of wine knowledge.
Having tasted 2000+ Pinots by now, I can comfortly say that this is a 90-93 range wine. TN: Light ruby, expressive nose of bright red fruit, cranberry, raspberry with vanilla, cedar, sweet spices, primary. On the ripe, fruity, side but not overboard. Not with the depth of a Felton Road Block 5 but decent length. Lots of enery on the palate, fresh. Youthful, should age well given the balance. While I am a Burgnick, there is so much to love in these lively Central Otago Pinots. I think NZ is the most exciting Pinot area outside of the Cotes de Nuits.
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12/9/2018 - Tom Gibson Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very drinkable table wine for a nice meal with family and friends. Great accompaniment to chicken. Lacked the full flavour of an aged Pinot, so may have drank a little early.
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