Patty's Pinot Closet Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue 2
January, 2010
Circulation 15,000 Wineries, Retailers, and Wine Lovers


Central Otago, New Zealand
Pinot Noirs
pat@pinotnoirs.com
www.pinotnoirs.com



Patty's Pinot Closet publishes this newsletter on the enjoyment and appreciation of Pinot Noir. We welcome you to enjoy the newsletters and to share them with others. You can find past newsletters at www.pinotnoirs.com

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This newsletter covers Pinot Noirs from New Zealand, specifically Pinot Noirs of the Central Otago region. Located at the south end of New Zealand's South Island, Central Otago has an inland, continental climate with high radiation, sunshine hours and very long days.



News

"In the past few years, New Zealand has joined the ranks of the heavyweights with a collection of Pinots that are remarkable for their purity, accessibility, consistency and outright beauty". Jerry Shriver, USA Today, March 7th 2007

 


Central Otago Food

Food
New Zealanders enjoy an abundance of wonderful food. A trip to the grocery store offers up fresh venison, rabbit, lamb and a large selection of seafood. You'll find lots of pumpkin, sweet potatoes (called Kumara ) and beets (called beetroot). Salads made with Rocket (arugula to us Americans) and an abundance of berries and stone fruits. Desserts might include Passion fruit Cheesecake or their famous Pavlova (the egg white meringue dessert named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova).


Recipes
I don't know if the New Zealanders ever steam their lovely Green-Lipped Mussels in Pinot Noir but it's absolutely wonderful. Perhaps I'll start a trend.


Green-Lipped Mussels Steamed in Pinot Noir
By Patty
Serves 8

    3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    3 Tbsp unsalted butter
    4 green onions, finely diced
    12 sprigs thyme
    1 tsp ground all-spice
    4 bay leaves
    3 cups Pinot Noir
    4 pounds fresh Green Lipped Mussels from New Zealand, scrubbed and debearded
    2 Tbsp chopped fresh garlic
    2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
    To taste Salt
    To serve French or sourdough baguettes

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a wide, deep pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the green onions, thyme, all-spice, and bay leaves, and sauté for 2 minutes, being careful not to let the mixture brown. Add the wine and bring the mixture to a boil.

Add the Green-Lipped mussels, decrease the heat, cover with a lid, and cook just until the mussels open (discard any that do not open). Remove the pan from the heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the mussels to individual bowls, reserving the cooking liquid in the pan.

Set the pan back on the heat. Add the garlic, parsley, the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, stir until the butter is melted, and season to taste with salt. Pour the sauce over the mussels. Serve with heated bread.


Central Otago Restaurants

Botswana Butchery, Queenstown NZ


Botswana Butchery.
This remarkable restaurant sits at the edge of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown (and also in Wanaka) in an unassuming building. Once inside you'll find a sophisticated ambiance and wonderful food. I was most amazed by the fact that you could order from a long list of wood grilled or pan seared beef, venison, or lamb cuts accompanied by your choice from 10 different sauces.
http://www.goodbars.co.nz/Botswana/BotswanaQueenstown/tabid/84/Default.aspx

Joe's Garage.
Located in downtown Queenstown, Joe's Garage is the place to be for breakfast and a great cup of coffee. Be sure to try the Rocket Fuel — a Kiwi sauce from Wellington.
www.joes.co.nz

Joes Garage

Pier 19.
Located on the wharf in downtown Queenstown, Pier 19 is the perfect place to sit outside, enjoy a good lunch with Central Otago Pinot Noir, and watch the parasailing on Lake Wakatipu. I very much enjoyed the Atlantic Caramelized Scallops with Crab and Sweet Corn Risotto with Spring Onions and Tomato Dressing. With the scallops I enjoyed a 2007 Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir. While sitting outside I enjoyed listening to Nora Jones. The New Zealanders seem to love Nora Jones and you hear her everywhere.
www.pier19.co.nz/

Fishbone.
At this favorite of the locals, I enjoyed New Zealand's Blue Cod with a salad. I bought a bottle of wine next door at Wine Tastes to have with the cod. They were playing music by 'Katchafire', a New Zealand reggae band that I fell in love with.




Central Otago Accommodations

Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
The Millennium Hotel Queenstown offers accommodation and dining plus a health club with spa, sauna and gymnasium.
www.millenniumhotels.com

The Spire Hotel
Queenstown's 5 Star hotel located in the heart of Queenstown
www.thespirehotels.com


Things To Do In New Zealand

From the mild to the wild you'll find your adventure threshold here. The expansive natural physical environment offers superb air, water and land based activities. Go walking, sailing, hiking, climbing, fishing, cycling, golfing, off-roading, skiing or mountain biking — and of course, visiting superb wineries.


Taste & Purchase Wine

Below I've listed a few places to both taste and buy wine in Central Otago.

Wine Tastes, Queenstown At Wine Tastes, in central Queenstown, you can taste over 80 different wines and "try before you buy". Enjoy the delicious gourmet local produce from their platter menu — breads, cheeses, fruits, chutneys and olive oils. They arrange wine shipping all over the world — to your door!
http://www.winetastes.com

Whitebait Fritters

Northburn Station, owned by Tom and Janet Pinckney. The Pinckney's have a new tasting room called 'The Shed' where you can taste their wonderful wines. Janet, a trained chef, prepares tasty morsels to pair with each wine. Whitebait Fritters, made with Free Range Eggs, are one of her specialties. The famous NZ Whitebait are tiny fish about 1/4 inch in diameter and 3 inches long. They are served with egg holding them together. You usually see them on NZ menus as Whitebait Omelets. I was surprised at how delicious the Whitebait Fritters were. Upon request, Janet also prepares lunch platters for groups.

When I was last in Central Otago I enjoyed Janet's Northburn Charcuterie Platter: Duck Liver Pate, Wild Hard Salami, Duck Confit, Kanuka smoked Rabbit, Ham and Beef Carpaccio with pickled Central Otago Cherries, fresh home baked bread and crostini.
http://www.northburn.co.nz/

Tom and Janet Pinckney


Wine Festivals

International Wine Festivals

  • 16 – 24 Jan 2010 –– Okanagan Winter Festival of Wine, Okanagan Valley, BC. www.owfs.com/
  • 25 Mar 2010 14:00-18:00 -- Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne and Open House chez Gambal, Burgundy, FR.www.alexgambal.com
  • 8 – 12 Apr 2010 –– Margaret River Wine Region Festival, Margaret River, Western Australia.www.margaretriverwine.org.au
  • 30 April – 9 May 2010 –– Okanagan Spring Festival, Okanagan Valley, BC.www.owfs.com
  • 13 – 14 Aug 2010 –– Okanagan Summer Wine Festival, Okanagan Valley, BC. www.owfs.com/
  • 1 – 10 Oct 2010 –– Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, Okanagan Valley, BC www.owfs.com/
  • 28 – 29 Jan 2011 –– MPVA Pinot Noir Celebration, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australiawww.mpva.com.au

New Zealand Wine Festivals

  • 1 – 4 Feb 2010 –– Pinot Noir 2010, Wellington, New Zealand. A four-day festival with Pinot Noirs from around the world. Only held every three years - a very special event. In my opinion - the Pinot Noir event of the world. www.pinotnoir2007.co.nz
  • 21 Nov0 2010 –– Toast Martinborough, Martinborough, New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND'S PREMIER WINE, FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL www.toastmartinborough.co.nz
  • 27 – 29 Jan 2011 –– Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration, Central Otago, New Zealand. www.otagowine.com/otagowine/events.html

US Wine Festivals

  • 30 Jan 2010 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm –– PASADENA PINOT FEST 2nd annual Public Grand Pinot Noir Tasting Event at the University Club in Pasadena. $75.00 in advance, limited to the first 350 people. www.pasadenapinotfest.com/
  • 23 – 24 Jan 2010 11:00 am to 4:00 pm –– OPEN HOUSE at Ken Brown Wines, Terravant Wine Center, 70 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA No appointment required. Consider bringing a cooler or empty styrofoam if you think you might want to take some wine with you. www.kenbrownwines.com/
  • 13 Feb 2010 11:00 am to 3:00 pm –– Open House at Clos Pepe 1273 West laurel, Lompoc. Cost is $5 to taste and have cheese and bread. www.clospepe.com
  • 13 – 14 Feb 2010 11:00 am to 4:00 pm –– OPEN HOUSE at Ken Brown Wines, Terravant Wine Center, 70 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA No appointment required. Consider bringing a cooler or empty styrofoam if you think you might want to take some wine with you. www.kenbrownwines.com/
  • 27 Feb 2010 ––Pinot Noir Summit, San Rafael, CA. One of the best Pinot Noir events in the world, returns to the Bay area for it's 8th year on February 27, 2010. www.affairsofthevine.com/pn_summit_8.php
  • 6 – 7 Mar 2010 11:00 am to 4:00 pm –– OPEN HOUSE at Ken Brown Wines, Terravant Wine Center, 70 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA No appointment required. Consider bringing a cooler or empty styrofoam if you think you might want to take some wine with you. www.kenbrownwines.com/
  • 6 – 7 Mar 2010 11:00 am to 4:00 pm –– OPEN HOUSE at Ken Brown Wines, Terravant Wine Center, 70 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA No appointment required. Consider bringing a cooler or empty styrofoam if you think you might want to take some wine with you. www.kenbrownwines.com/
  • 17 Apr 2010 –– Santa Barbara County Vintner's Festival. Lompoc CA The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival attracts wine lovers from near and far for an opportunity to meet member vintners, taste their wines, and enjoy great food and music in a festive outdoor environment. The festival will feature the wines of our 100+ members of the Association, live and lively music, a silent auction and wine country cuisine by the area's finest chefs. Visit the Vintners' Association website for details and tickets. www.sbcountywines.com/
  • 8 – 11 Apr 2010 ––Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Pebble Beach, CA. The Premier Epicurean Lifestyle Event in the Country. www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com/
  • 17 – 18 Apr 2010 –– Dundee Hills Appellation Passport Tour, Dundee, OR www.dundeehills.org/passport.htm
  • 18 Apr 2010 ––11 am – 3 pm. Clos Pepe Estate Open House 1273 West laurel, Lompoc CA. Current releases and library wines, cheeses and barrel tasting. $5 a glass.www.clospepe.com
  • 14 – 16 May 2010 –– Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, Anderson Valley - Philo, CA. www.avwines.com/pnf.php
  • 15 May 2010 –– SLH Winegrowers Gala and Tasting, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, CA. www.santaluciahighlands.com/index.php
  • 15 May 2010 ––2 to 5 pm. A Highlands' Fling, Hahn Estates, 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad, CA. Join the the Santa Lucia Highlands' Wine Artisans for this fourth annual, exclusive tasting. Sample limited release gems and hard-to-get vintages, offered by the winemakers themselves and paired to the award-winning cuisine of local chefs. Tickets $85 online at SantaLuciaHighlands.com
  • 5 – 6 March 2010 –– World of Pinot, Shell Beach, CA. www.worldofpinotnoir.com
  • 6 Jun 2010 –– Pinot & Paella Cook-Off, Templeton Community Park, Paso Robles, CA. www.pinotandpaella.com/
  • Jun 2010 –– Pinot Days, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. www.pinotdays.com/
  • 8 – 11 Jul 2010 –– Central Coast Wine Classic, Avila Beach Resort, Avila Beach, CA. www.centralcoastwineclassic.org/
  • 7 Aug 2010 —— Winemaker's Celebration, Monterey, CA. www.montereywines.org/winemakers_celebration.php
  • Oct 2010 –– Celebration of Harvest Held on the beautiful grounds of Rancho Sisquoc Winery in the Santa Maria Valley. www.sbcountywines.com/
  • 24 Oct 2010 –– Pinot on the River, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA. www.pinotfestival.com/
  • November 2010 –– ¡Salud! Oregon's Pinot Noir Auction, Oregon's top Pinot Noir producers unite to provide much-needed healthcare outreach and services to seasonal vineyard workers and their families. This two-day event is a rare opportunity to preview the 2009 vintage, bid on unique Pinot Noirs created especially for ¡Salud!, and other exciting auction lots. www.saludauction.org/
  • Jan 2011 –– Pinot Days Southern California, Santa Monica, CA. www.pinotdays.com/

Click Here for a complete list of Pinot Noir Wine Festivals. If you have a Pinot Noir festival you would like to add send a note to pat@pinotnoirs.com


Central Otago Pinot Noir

Bendingo

Rudi Bauer

Central Otago produced their first commercial wine in 1987. It’s amazing to realize how far they have come in those few years. The warm semi-arid inland basins of Central Otago lie a few kilometers on either side of the 45th parallel. Pinot Noir dominates the grape varieties found in Central Otago — one of the hottest, coldest and driest regions of New Zealand.

Central Otago winemakers divide their region into seven sub-regions. When you taste their wines the differences between the sub-regions become apparent . The wine makers of Central Otago are exploring if they should have formal sub-regions like the Burgundian Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC). The seven sub-regions are:

Alexandra Basin - The Clutha and Manuherikia Rivers frame the Alexandra Basin. Here they regularly record New Zealand’s hottest summer temperatures. Spectacular schist outcrops dominate the arid landscape and a wide diurnal shift moderates the high temperatures.
Look for Judge Rock, Grasshopper Rock, and Two Paddocks in the Alexandra Basin.

Bannockburn - The Kawarau River's southern banks near Cromwell form the Bannockburn sub-region. This very warm, dry district ripens grapes early on sandy, silty loam soils. The altitude ranges from 220 to 370 meters in an area known by miners as "the Heart of the Desert". Wines from Bannockburn, as well as Lowburn, are fuller, more tannic wines with cherries and dark fruit flavors and undertones of dried thyme.
Look for Akarua and Felton Road in the Bannockburn area.

Lowburn - The Western side of Lake Dunstan, including the Sugarloaf to the North and Kawarua River to the South make up the Lowburn Sub-Region. Grapes ripen early in this warm sub-region dominated by semi-arid flat to undulating high terraces.
Look for Chard Farm and Lowburn Ferry in the Lowburn area.

Central Otago

Felton Road

Pisa includes the flats and terraces of the Pisa mountain range on the Western side of Lake Dunstan. Gently sloping fans and moraines characterize this sub-region.
Look for Surveyor Thomson and Pisa Range Estate in the Pisa area.

Bendigo includes both intermediate (220 meters) and higher terraces (330 to 350 meters) lying East of the Clutha River and Lake Dunstan. Semi-arid, variable depth, free draining soils exist at the lower levels with shallower soils higher up.
Look for Quartz Reef, Northburn Station and Prophet's Rock wineries.

Wanaka the smallest of the sub-regions has vineyards planted between the shores of Lake Wanaka and the town of Luggate to the east. This sub-region is approximately 290 to 320 meters above sea level.
Look for Rippon and Mount Maude wineries.

Gibbston The coolest and highest of the sub-regions, with vineyards between 320 and 420 meters altitude, exist in Gibbston. Enclosed by mountains, this narrow valley contains about 250 hectares of vines, planted on sloping, north facing land. Wines from Gibbston Valley have a sweet soft upfront fruitiness with flavors of raspberry, strawberries and fresh herbs with spicy notes.
Look for Coal Pit and Hawkshead wineries.

Wanaka Sub-Region



About my scores: I believe that no one gains by embarrassing someone or something, be it my husband, my children, someone’s wine, a co-worker, a subordinate, an enemy or a friend. I therefore, try to never criticize a person or a thing. I believe in keeping my life and surroundings positive. So, I rate all the wines I taste and then draw a cut-off line at 85 points. Who knows, maybe that wine that got an 84 was just having a bad day — why make it worse!

About Scoring: As I go around to Wine Events I hear a lot about Wine Scoring. At the “Women in Wine Seminar” many of the speakers (not all) seemed to feel that numerical scoring for wine was wrong — not the womanly way! They seemed to feel that some kind of “Wishy-Washy” system like good, bad, or ugly would be better. Having been formally educated as a mathematician I first like to see a numerical score. Second, I like to see a description where I can look for key words important to me such as Black Cherry, Dense, Earthy, etc. Third, I recommend to wine enthusiasts that they look for wine critics who like what they like and stick with them — it’s a three step formula for finding wines you’ll enjoy.

With that, here are my scores and descriptions for Pinot Noirs from Central Otago and a few from other areas of New Zealand.

Wines

Patty's Pinot Closet lists all the wines reviewed in current and past newsletters. We've included a price taken from the winery website or other retail sources if possible. They are included for relative comparison only, your price may be different. All prices in this newsletter are in US dollars unless stated otherwise.

Pinot NoirYearPriceRankDescription
Escarpment
Martinborough
2006 38 US$ 94 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of dark red fruit with savory overtones. Tastes of velvety plums with a very long finish.
Escarpment
Martinborough
2007 38 US$ 94 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of Burgundian black currants with smokey tea hints. Tastes of dark fruit with a very long finish.
Felton Road
Block 5
Bannockburn, Central Otago
2007 77 US$ 94 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas still a little closed. Absolutely wonderful tasting wine. Silky mouth feel with a long lingering finish.
Pisa Range
Black Poplar Block
Pisa, Central Otago
2007 40 NZ$ 94 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries and spice. Well-balanced wine with a lovely long finish.
Pyramid Valley
Earth Smoke
Waikari, North Canterbury
2006 74 US$ 94 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian aromas of black currants with game and spice hints. Tastes of earthy dark black fruit. Lovely long finish. Grown in limestone.
Cloudy Bay
Marlborough
2006 51 NZ$ 35 US$ 93 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Cherry aromas with gamey nuances. Lasting finish.
Saint Clair
Omaka Reserve
Marlborough
2005 29 US$ 93 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black currants and plums with hints of mushrooms. Tastes of velvety dark red fruits with hints of coffee. Nice long finish. Available in the US.
Te Kairanga
John Martin Reserve
Martinborough
2005 42.99 US 93 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries, coffee and truffles. Very complex with gamey, earthy tones. Wonderful long finish. Available in the US.
Two Paddocks
Central Otago
2007 30 US$ 93 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black currant and blackberry. Tastes of dark fruit with fine tannins. Lovely finish
25 Steps
Lowburn, Central Otago
2006 35 NZ$ 92 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries with savory hints. Tastes of soft dark fruit.
Carrick
Excelsior
Central Otago
2005 82 NZ$ 92 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of gamey plums and spice.
Coal Pit
Tiwha
Central Otago
2006 36 NZ$ 92 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Big black cherry nose with hints of earthy chocolate. Well-balanced velvety wine. Medium finish.
Felton Road
Block 3
Bannockburn, Central Otago
2006 42 US$ 92 Dense black cherry color. Aromas of black cherry. Good mouth feel with a long finish.
Mt Difficulty
Pipe Clay Terrace
Central Otago
2007 45 NZ$ 92 Medium Intensity wine with a cherry color. Aromas of black cherries, plum, spice and oak. Tastes of dark black fruit with a long finish.
Quartz Reef
Bendigo, Central Otago
2007 39 NZ$ 92 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries and violets. Tastes of dark red fruit. Long finish.
Akarua Winery
Gullies
Bannockburn, Central Otago
2007 35 NZ$ 91 Dense Black Cherry wine with a plum and dark fruit nose. Velvety taste with a long finish.
Aurum
Mathilde Reserve
Central Otago
2007 45 NZ$ 91 Dense Black cherry color. Earthy black cherry nose. Velvety tastes of dark fruit. Medium finish.
Charcoal Gully
Sally's Pinch
Central Otago
2007 16.99 NZ$ 91 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian earthy nose with a velvety dark fruit taste. Long finish.
Felton Road
Bannockburn, Central Otago
2007 50 US$ 91 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Silky mouth feel with a medium finish.
Hawkshead
Gibbston, Central Otago
2007 37 NZ$ 91 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries and flowers. Well-balanced velvety wine with a medium finish.
Judge Rock
Alexandra, Central Otago
2006 35 NZ$ 91 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Complex Burgundian aromas with cinnamon and black cherry. Velvety mouth feel with a long finish.
Mount Michael
Central Otago
2007 30 NZ$ 91 Medium Intensity wine with a cherry color. Aromas of cherries and spice. Soft dark fruit tastes with a long finish.
Pisa Range
Black Poplar Block
Pisa, Central Otago
2006 40 NZ$ 91 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy black cherries. Complex, well-balanced wine with a good mouth feel. Short finish.
Rockburn
Central Otago
2007 38 NZ$ 91 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries and flowers. Complex velvety wine with a very long finish.
Saint Clair
Doctor's Creek Reserve
Marlborough
2005 26 US$ 91 Medium intensity with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries, plums, and roses. Well balanced velvety wine. Available in US
Tarras Vineyards
The Canyon
Central Otago
2007 42 NZ$ 91 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries and plums. Tastes of earthy dark fruit with a slight spiciness. Medium finish.
van Asch Wines
Central Otago
2007 45 NZ$ 91 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries, violets, and spice. Tastes of cherries and plums.
25 Steps
Lowburn, Central Otago
2006 34 NZ$ 90 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries with savory hints. Tastes of soft dark fruit.
Akarua Winery
Cadence
Bannockburn, Central Otago
2006 45 NZ$ 90 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherry. Soft mouth feel with a medium finish.
Carrick
Central Otago
2007 40 NZ$ 90 Dense wine with a plum color and nose. Velvety tastes of dark fruit, mushrooms and spice with a long aftertaste.
Coal Pit
Tiwha
Central Otago
2007 42 NZ$ 90 Medium density with a black cherry color. Aromas of violets and forest floor. Complex wine with a velvety taste. Medium finish.
Greylands Ridge
Alexandra, Central Otago
2007 26 NZ$ 90 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries. Velvety dark fruit tastes with a long finish.
Maude
Wanaka, Central Otago
2007 32 NZ$ 90 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherries and flowers. Tastes of velvety dark fruit with a medium finish.
Mount Dottrel
Pisa, Central Otago
2007 35 NZ$ 90 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian nose of earthy black currants. Wonderful velvety black fruit taste with a long finish.
Quartz Reef
Bendigo Estate
Bendigo, Central Otago
2006 24 US$ 90 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of minerals and black cherries. Well balanced with a medium finish.
Saint Clair
Marlborough
2006 17.99 US$ 90 Medium intensity wine with a bright ruby color. Aromas of blackberries and boysenberries with savory hints. Tastes of velvety dark fruits with a lingering finish. Available in US
Surveyor Thomson
Pisa, Central Otago
2007 38 US$ 90 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries. Tastes of dark red fruit. Long finish.
Te Kairanga
Runholder
Martinborough
2004 29 US$ 90 Medium intensity wine with a deep garnet color. Aromas of black currant and plum with hints of black pepper and licorice. Sweet fruit with a silky tannin structure. Available in the US.
Anthem
Gibbston, Central Otago
2007 30 NZ$ 89 Dense Black Cherry color wine with a plum nose. Velvety tastes of dark fruit and good tannins. Long aftertaste.
Black Quail Estate
Central Otago
2005 32 NZ$ 89 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherries and spice with nice oak hints. Nice mouth feel with a long finish.
Brennan Wines
Central Otago
2007 40 NZ$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of dark plums. Velvety tastes of dark fruit with lots of tannin. Long finish.
Domain Road
Bannockburn, Central Otago
2007 32 NZ$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of plums, cherries and thyme. Tastes of dark fruit with a long finish.
Grasshopper Rock
Alexandra, Central Otago
2006 30 NZ$ 89 Black cherry color. Aromas of plums. Silky taste with a short finish.
Grasshopper Rock
Alexandra, Central Otago
2007 32 NZ$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Nose closed. Velvety lovely taste with a long finish.
Judge Rock
Alexandra, Central Otago
2007 35 NZ$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Plum aromas with a velvety dark fruit taste. Long finish.
Kim Crawford
Marlborough
2007 17 US$ 89 Medium Intensity wine with a Black Cherry color. Aromas of cherry and strawberry with hints of thyme. Tastes of red fruit with soft tannins and a touch of oak.
Lowburn Ferry
Lowburn, Central Otago
2007 39 NZ$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Plum aromas with a complex velvety taste.
Mitre Rocks
Pisa, Central Otago
2007 45 NZ$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Plum aromas with a velvety dark fruit taste. Medium finish.
Mount Edward
Gibbston, Central Otago
2007 45 NZ$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Plum aromas with a velvety dark fruit taste. Medium finish.
Surveyor Thomson
Pisa, Central Otago
2006 35 US$ 89 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian nose. Slightly thin in the mouth with high acid. Short finish.
Te Kairanga
Estate
Martinborough
2004 19.99 US$ 89 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherry, plum and raspberry. Tastes of silky fruit well-balanced with the tannins.
25 Steps
Lowburn, Central Otago
2007 35 NZ$ 88 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries with herbal hints. Tastes of soft dark fruit.
Hawkshead
Gibbston, Central Otago
2006 37 NZ$ 88 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black cherries. Well-balanced. Medium finish.
Te Kairanga
Martinborough
2006 20 US$ 88 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of plums, chocolate and flowers. Slightly spicy. Tastes of silky soft fruit. Available in the US.
Three Miners Vineyards
Central Otago
2007 40 NZ$ 88 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherries, herbs, and flowers.
Wild Earth Wines
Central Otago
2007 30 US$ 88 Medium intensity wine with a plum color. Aromas of blackberry. Tastes of dark fruit.
Chard Farm
The Tiger
Lowburn, Central Otago
2006 28 NZ$ 87 Medium wine with a cherry color. Cherry aromas with a thin mouth feel. Short finish.
Desert Heart
Central Otago
2007 36 NZ$ 87 Medium black cherry color. Aromas of cherries and raspberries. Tastes of black fruit.
Mount Maude
Wanaka, Central Otago
2006   87 Dense wine black cherry color. Nice mouth feel with a long finish.
Prophets Rock
Bendigo, Central Otago
2007   87 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color.
Rippon
Wanaka, Central Otago
2006 68 US$ 87 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Short finish.
Black Quail Estate
Central Otago
2007 32 NZ$ 86 Dense black cherry color. Floral nose with a slight fizz. Long finish.
Prophets Rock
Bendigo, Central Otago
2006 48 NZ$ 86 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy black cherries. Complex, well-balanced wine with a good mouth feel. Short finish.
Saint Clair
Vicar's Choice
Marlborough
2006 15.99 US$ 86 Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. Tastes of red fruit. Available in US
Brennan Wines
Central Otago
2006 35 NZ$ 85 Medium intensity wine with a cherry color. Aromas of cherries with hints of chocolate.
Charcoal Gully
Sally's Pinch
Central Otago
2006 27.75 NZ$ 85 Medium density with a black cherry color. Silky taste with a short finish.
Lowburn Ferry
Lowburn, Central Otago
2006 37 NZ$ 85 Dense wine with a black cherry color. Silky mouth feel with a long finish.
Te Kairanga
Runholder
Martinborough
2005 29 US   Intense wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of plums, black cherries, pepper and licorice. Tastes of velvety dark black fruit. Short finish. Available in the US.

Glossary:
Balthzar – Equal to 16 standard bottles or 12 liters.
Jeroboam – Equal to four standard bottles or three liters. Commonly used in Champagne and Burgundy.

You can find more definitions in my wine glossary at www.pinotnoirs.com

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JanuaryNew Zealand
MarchMornington Peninsula, Australia
MaySanta Cruz Mountains
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SeptemberSan Luis Obispo County
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