March 24, 2023 - Well-balanced, medium-bodied red and black cherry fruits, earthy. Clearly New World but balanced and energetic. We’ll made and a good value. 13%. At or just past peak. Drink now to 2026.
November 22, 2022 - Similar to the bottle I had last month. It was opened opened two hours prior to consumption Dark red fruit on the nose. The palate was dark cherry, red plums, currant and a little chocolate. The finish was moderate to long.
October 27, 2022 - This was a very enjoyable bottle of pinot noir opened two hours prior to consumption Dark red fruit on the nose. The palate was dark cherry, red plums, currant and a little chocolate. The finish was moderate to long.
May 7, 2022 - 2013 Martinborough Pinot Noir tasting (7 May 2022). 5 bottles/5 people/5 hours. Decanted.
Ata Rangi: lacks finesse. Good, but was a let down for this label. 3rd place. 91 pts.
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Single Vineyard: the most developed colour (brown edges) of the 5 tasted. Blackberry jam. Bitter. Short palate. 4th place. 88 pts.
Dry River: deep red colour. Plum jam. Dark fruits. Stood up high for the whole 5 hours, only briefly giving way to Kusuda while that peaked for an hour in the middle. Whole bunch press more noticeable than all others. 1st place. 96 pts.
Escarpment Te Rehua: dense. Funky and needed air to unravel itself. But then I couldn’t get over a dominant mouldy orange character and later accompanied by menthol. (The 2013 Pahi and Kiwa labels tasted a year ago were better). 5th place. 87 pts.
Kusuda: very slight brown edges. Pretty. Delicate. The most floral of the 5. You can sense the attention to detail. Noticeably peaked at the 2-3 hour mark, then started falling away. 2nd place. 95 pts.
December 4, 2021 - Quite tight still. Aired it for 2-3 hours and it got better the longer it aired. Firmer than the 2013 Kiwa that I had earlier this year. There's some unresolved tannin - the tannin isn't bad tannin - that will take some time. After a few hours of airing and a lot of swirling in the glass to oxygenate it, it does become an interesting Pinot Noir. Lots of dark cherry fruit with superlative texture and balance. Just give this time, or air...lots of it.
November 11, 2020 - Quite dark. Scents are fruity with a bit of pinot funk. A bit large-scale. Palate similar, large, ripe, verging on jammy. Not too much tannin or grip. Nicely balanced. Not very pinot though. Lacks elegance and airiness. I preferred the Pahi in this vintage so far.
September 20, 2020 - Changes dramatically in the glass. More tart at first but sweetens as it opens. Dusted with green and metalic notes. Tertiary notes along with some retained youthful abrasiveness. Last sip best. Drink now-2022.
August 30, 2020 - Exuberant nose of red fruits with a hint of fruit pastille. Very full in the mouth; bags of red and darker fruits. Great balance and length. Tannins seem to be well integrated. Simply delicious.
January 30, 2020 - Chill afternoon drinks at ES Kallang. Tasted blind. Pop and poured. Drank in Gabriel Standart. Cork-closure.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour with thin garnet rim. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of smoky oak, roasted dense black cherries, meat and earth with more air. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13%), medium tannins, medium+ body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of bright but roasted dense black cherries, blackberries, dark red candy, smoke, peppery spice, earth. Long finish.
Very good quality. I was initially thinking medium aged New World Pinot Noir, but entertained some thoughts about this being a young Cote-Rotie too. Hahaha.
October 5, 2019 - Nice full bodied Pinot with dense dark tart fruit. More on the heavier side with regard to structure and body.