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 Vintage2008 Label 1 of 31 
TypeRed
ProducerOyster Bay (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
Vineyardn/a
CountryNew Zealand
RegionSouth Island
SubRegionMarlborough
AppellationMarlborough
UPC Code(s)9415549809679

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2009 and 2013 (based on 15 user opinions)

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 87.5 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 94 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by derekjohn on 8/30/2015 & rated 87 points: Showing some browning at the edges, which was a little surprising since it is a screwcap bottle. Sweet barnyard nose with molasses silage, sweet blackberry jelly (gello), soft saddle leather, blackcurrant leaves. The leather and licquorice come through particularly well in the mouth with sweet fruit. Seems more alcoholic than it is. Pleasant and approachable. A perfumed aftertaste with some violets. (2963 views)
 Tasted by MJINZ on 9/4/2014 & rated 85 points: Good (3539 views)
 Tasted by derekjohn on 7/18/2014 & rated 86 points: A light coloured red, slightly pink at the edges - a youthful appearance presumably due to the screwcap. The nose is sweet leather, strawberries and mulberries; not much 'barnyard'. In the mouth fruity, with the addition of rhubarb (!) and some pepper at the edges; very PN. A beautifully balanced medium-bodied wine, with the fruit still very fresh. Lingers a little. But this is not a French PN, not at all 'nervous', just upfront juicy. If Beaujolais was made with PN grapes, this is what it would taste like. (3678 views)
 Tasted by DTWOB on 1/7/2014 & rated 88 points: Light bodied, fruity wine. Paired well with pan roasted salmon (4307 views)
 Tasted by Vintomas on 8/24/2013 & rated 86 points: Cherries, spice notes with some undergrowth and a hint of compost, and a bit of oak. Cherries, some strawberries, some impression of tart berries, a tiny bit of sweetness, good acidity, some tannin (medium -), the alcohol can be felt and stays on as a bit of warmth in the aftertaste. (4825 views)
 Tasted by Bebum on 4/27/2013 & rated 90 points: Deep red-brown color with pink halo,
Complex and outspoken aroma,
Medium body, fresh mouthfeel avoiding sharpness, fruity but not cloying or jammy, delicate, elegant, complex, long.
Beautiful raspberry, cherry, with a touch of bitter almond,
Classic burgundy character except for the exuberance. (2592 views)
 Tasted by Wine Poor on 6/11/2012 & rated 88 points: Enjoyed this on the deck before dinner. Very nice light pinot. (3426 views)
 Tasted by joet626 on 6/7/2012 & rated 88 points: More Burgundian in style than I prefer. Earthy and missing fruit. (3239 views)
 Tasted by yui on 1/4/2012 & rated 89 points: great value (3862 views)
 Tasted by 1512tnw on 10/23/2011 & rated 87 points: - Ruby color. Smooth texture with a short finish - Drinking well as a light wine. (4470 views)
 Tasted by nytiger on 10/4/2011 & rated 89 points: very good (4161 views)
 Tasted by northbridge on 9/18/2011 & rated 89 points: Reliable friend with more ripeness than customary in New Zealand. Suits Suzanne with light body, fresh and vibrant with red fruit. (3772 views)
 Tasted by jpinsb on 7/31/2011 & rated 88 points: Surprisingly good for the price. (4238 views)
 Tasted by slywka7 on 7/24/2011 & rated 89 points: Light bodied and a beautiful nose of flowers, cherry and spice. This goes down quite easy with some nice flavors of green tea, cherry and a touch of earth. (995 views)
 Tasted by flwinos on 6/13/2011 & rated 88 points: Notes consistent with previous review. Solid pinot for $13, especially for something you can find in your local supermarket. (4744 views)
 Tasted by sweaty on 5/21/2011 & rated 88 points: Nose was soft with red berries. A little big of a rustic component (versus juice and extraction). In fact, this is a lightweight but also agreable with the meal. (4859 views)
 Tasted by tr09 on 4/9/2011 & rated 86 points: can be good value if found on offer. pale, light red, strawberries and red cherries with a backbone of tart plums. no real complexity but fresh and vibrant, if a bit thin and very short. obviously pinot, true to its source. well made and clean, very gentle. they're not doing much wrong here, consistent across years, doesn't try too hard. a bit corporate, but at least it isn't corporate merlot drenched in oak chips. not a bad choice amongst the other supermarket offerings. (5131 views)
 Tasted by Vintomas on 3/19/2011 & rated 86 points: Light red, clear colour. Spicy nose (glühwein spices) with undergrowth, cherries and some blackcurrants, some oak. Medium bodied, a hint of sweetness on the palate, good acidity, a hint of alcohol, cherries, spice. 86-87 p. (819 views)
 Tasted by 1512tnw on 2/5/2011 & rated 88 points: Good right out of the bottle. A choice for daily light wine, albeit on the price side for daily. (5519 views)
 Tasted by chefpete on 2/3/2011 & rated 80 points: Not good (5421 views)
 Tasted by df1962 on 1/11/2011 & rated 90 points: PnP. A bit of orange/brick color at the edge. A bit more settled and less astringent than the last bottle. Nice ripe red fruits with balancing acidity and herbal mineral tobacco notes adding some complexity. (5744 views)
 Tasted by Yme on 12/16/2010 & rated 84 points: Light maroon. Red Berries and some earthy notes in the nose. Light bodied. Cherries with a little leather and stone on the palate. Mid palate a little flat. Short to moderate length. (6087 views)
 Tasted by whits on 12/13/2010 & rated 86 points: light brownish-red color, big nose full of mint, crushed berries and fresh caramel, nice stone underneath a blanket of crisp red fruit, edgy acidity, bright, almost herbal, nice with a chicken alfredo pasta meal (6011 views)
 Tasted by jpdel on 12/5/2010 & rated 88 points: Fairly typical pinot. Light color, nose of red fruit and some barnyard funk, and a nice mix of raspberries and cranberries on the palate. Certainly a good buy for the price. (6082 views)
 Tasted by cjsadler on 11/18/2010 & rated 88 points: Very drinkable pinot for the price. (6520 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By David Lawrason
WineAlign (11/18/2009)
(Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough, South Island red) Subscribe to see review text.
By John Szabo, MS
WineAlign (11/18/2009)
(Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough, South Island red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (7/17/2009)
(Oyster Bay Pinot Noir) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of WineAlign and The WINEFRONT. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Oyster Bay

Producer Website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

New Zealand

New Zealand Wine (New Zealand Winegrowers)

South Island

Noeth Island (wine-pages.com)

Marlborough

Gisborne (New Zealand Wine)

Marlborough

.co.nz/home.htm Gisborne

 
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