New Zealand Pinot Noir: Hot or Not?
Noted UK wine writer Jamie Goode recently tweeted, “Bold statement: within 10 years New Zealand could be
known for making the world’s consistently best Pinot Noir and Syrah.” The latest figures show that New
Zealand is now exporting well over one million cases of Pinot Noir a year and in all markets outside of the
United States, New Zealand Pinot Noir ranks second only to Burgundy in sales. New Zealand Pinot Noir is hot.
Maybe not. The Wall Street Journal (Lettie Teague, September 1, 2012) recently offered an article titled, “What
Happened to New Zealand Pinot Noir? Teague points out that she has noticed less New Zealand Pinot Noir on
this country’s wine lists and retail store shelves and attributes this to a number of factors including loss of
distributors during the recession of 2008-09, the unfavorable exchange rate which keeps prices relatively high,
and poor brand recognition outside of a few high profile labels.
My personal experience with retailers in California is that the showpiece New Zealand Pinot Noirs from
recognizable wineries such as Ata Rangi, Cloudy Bay, Craggy Range, Escarpment, Felton Road, Peregrine,
Pyramid Valley, Quartz Reef, Rippon, and Spy Valley still appear regularly in fine wine retailers stock, but some
bottles languish on the shelves for extended periods, and retailers do not push the wines using featured
tastings or publicity. New Zealand Pinot Noir just doesn’t seem to generate much buzz currently among
stateside wine connoisseurs because the competition from California and Oregon Pinot Noir is formidable. The
New Zealand Pinot Noirs simply don’t offer enough of a distinct contrast to North American Pinot Noir to make
them preferable.
New Zealanders such as writer Geoff Kelly have been critical of New Zealand Pinot Noir, pointing out that a
noticeable number of his country’s Pinot Noirs lack body and concentration, something the American palate
cherishes, too many are either under-ripe or overripe or exhibit flavors of both, and some wines can be
overwrought with acidity, something American consumers generally disdain.
That said, I try to taste New Zealand Pinot Noir periodically out of curiosity, and over the years have acquired
quite a fondness for the Pinot Noir from Felton Road, Rippon, and most recently, Burn Cottage. A few wines
primarily from the excellent 2010 vintage that I tasted recently are reviewed here. Some producers in New
Zealand have claimed that 2010 is the best ever for Pinot Noir in that country. Many New Zealand producers of premium Pinot Noir
are committed to screwcap closures.
2009 Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 1,136 cases, $50. Imported by Classic Wines
LLC, Denver, CO. Estate grown and bottled by the American Sauvage Family in Cromwell. Consulting
winemaker and partner is Ted Lemon of Littorai.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Deep,
penetrating aromas of chocolate covered black cherries, compost, slate and seasoned oak. Intense mid palate
attack of ripe black raspberry and black cherry fruit backed by supple tannins, finishing with some length. An
earthy, mineral underpinning adds interest and complexity. Highly flavorful, but elegantly styled. Very good.
2010 Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $50 (sold out
at winery). Imported by Classic Wines LLC, Denver, CO.
·
Moderately
dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy initially, picking up interest
and intensity over time in the glass to reveal enticing aromas of dark red
fruits, exotic spices and forest floor. Good attack of tasty black cherry,
dark red raspberry and dark plum fruit supported by firm, ripe tannins and
lifted with bright acidity. Very juicy and pleasing, becoming more intense over
time in the glass. Flat-out great the next day from a previously opened and recorked
bottle, showing a slip of its true potential including a marvelous peacock
tail grand cru finish.
2010 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Martinborough New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $35,
screwcap. Imported by Kobrand Corp, NY, NY. Indigenous yeast fermentations, aged more than a year in
French oak barrels without racking.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Slight reduction and oaky upon
opening, becoming very savory over time with aromas of bramble, herbs and wild, dark red berries. Fruits in
the redder spectrum are featured with a green, herbal tone. Moderately light in weight with supple tannins and
an acid-driven, juicy finish. Good.
2010 Felton Road Bannockburn Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $40, screwcap. Imported by Wilson Daniels, St. Helena,
CA. 100% organic and biodynamic viticulture. 20% whole cluster. Wild
yeast fermentations, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, unfined and
unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of
black cherry liquor, black raspberries, blackberries and oak toast.
Moderately rich with impressive mid palate presence, a seductively plush mouth
feel, and a lengthy finish featuring black raspberry fruit. Oak plays a supporting
role and the tannins are well-managed. The most impressive features are the
soft, polished texture and the impressive concentration of the fruit.
2010 Greywacke Marlborough New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.65,
TA 0.56, $35, screwcap. Released February 2012. This winery is named after
New Zealand’s prolific bedrock and the label displays the name of proprietor
Kevin Judd, one of Marlborough’s pioneering winemakers. Fruit is sourced from
mature vineyards within the central Wairau Plains and the Southern Valleys.
Predominately Dijon clones 115, 777 and 667, with smaller amounts of
Pommard and AM 10/5. Most of the fruit was de-stemmed with some whole
bunch inclusion. Indigenous yeast fermentation, hand punch downs, aged in
45% new French oak barrels for 15 months and fined for clarity before bottling.
The wine is made at Dog Point Winery in the Brancott Valley. Imported by Old
Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark
berry jam, spice, forest floor and a hint of black cherries. Earthy with flavors that echo the nose, becoming
richer and more enticing over time in the glass. Silky, with soft tannins and a good cut of acidity on the finish.
Still fine the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good and worth seeking out.
2010 Soho McQueen Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $27, screwcap. Imported by
Nedrac Inc., Palm Desert, CA. Winemaker is Grant Taylor.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass.
Very ripe aromas of raisin, black plum and dark chocolate. Dark, earthy, ripe fruits are featured, highlighted by
citrus-laden acidity that persists on the finish. The acidity brings the wine freshness, but is a bit imposing.
Decent.
2010 Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar’s Choice Marlborough New Zealand Pinot Noir
13.5% alc.,
$14, screwcap. Imported by Winesellers LTD, Niles, IL. Owners Neal and Judy Ibbotson have a
relative who was a vicar in the Anglican Church. On a visit to Saint Clair, the vicar selected his
favorite barrels and the name was born. The winemaker is Matt Thomson.
·
Moderately light reddish
color in the glass. Fresh aromas of dark red strawberries, raspberries and cherries. Fruit-driven,
featuring red fruits with complimentary oak in the background. Elegantly styled and smoothly textured
with mild tannins and a grapefruit-peel note on the finish. A relatively straightforward drink that offers value.
Good.
|
|
|
