Pinot Noir 2010

[Peter NZ]

Some belated brief impressions garnered from the public tasting session of Pinot 2010.

Initial problem of course, when faced with 100 producers, apparently 500+ wines & 2 hours to taste them all, is figuring out a strategy. Mine was to get around the big names that I don't normally otherwise see (so excluding the Martinborough producers with tasting rooms), to do a little research beforehand on which of the plethora of newer producers whose wines I'd not previously tasted might be worth a look, & to spit, spit, spit ... but both because the fabulous wines on offer made it hard to do the latter, & because I spent a fair bit of time talking to winemakers, I got through far fewer wines than I'd planned on. So the following observations are partial at best.

That said, here's a few brief impressions:

- standout winery for me was Bell Hill, with both their '06 & their as-yet unreleased '07 being very complete wines.
- overall quality of the '07 Marlborough pinots was my biggest discovery, with the full range of single vineyard Seresin wines, Fromm Clayvin & Blind River (QPR discovery of the tasting) being particular standouts. '08 clearly a step-down in comparison.
- Felton Road Block 3 '08 was the pick on the night of the full FR range of '08s. '01 Block 5 (under s/c) was a testament to its aging potential -- still fresh with plenty of life left.
- preferred the Escarpment '08 Kiwa to the '08 Kupe, but both big steps up from the Estate
- Dry River '08 was a favourite of others, but over-extracted to my tastes
- Martinborough Marie Zeleste '06 (sp?) impressive, but no better at $180 than a whole bunch of wines that are 'only' $60 - $100.
- Mt Difficult '07 Long Gully a significant step up from the Estate, & very impressive
- Neudorf Mouteres '07 & '08 a bit of a let-down on the night in comparison to other wines tasted
- surprised at the number of older wines open for tasting that were distinctly oxidative on the nose, but left wondering whether it's something I'm particularly sensitive to after Hatsch Kalberer couldn't see what I was on about with respect to his Fromm Clayvin '00 ...

Cheers
Peter

[SueNZ]

Thanks for your vibes, Peter.
Marlborough still seems to be treated like a cinderalla of the pinot noir regions, but some real star producers there.

You mention Marlborough 08's were a let down after the 07's. How did you find the Central Otagos 08's in general?

Have similar thoughts to the pricing of the Marie Zelie and others in the $100+ price range. Who buys these wines?

Cheers,
Sue

[Craig(NZ)]

Have similar thoughts to the pricing of the Marie Zelie and others in the $100+ price range. Who buys these wines?

in a perfect world someone else who then invites you to help them drink it

[Craig(NZ)]

standout winery for me was Bell Hill, with both their '06 & their as-yet unreleased '07 being very complete wines.

anyone retail these or is it mail order only??

Neudorf Mouteres '07 & '08 a bit of a let-down on the night in comparison to other wines tasted

agree, they need a bunch of cellar time. i had an 01 recently which was stunning, also had a 03 Home Block which was very extracted and needed more time?? maybe?? hopefully as i have another!!

[TiggerK]

The Bell Hill seem to be very exclusive these days, with very minimal production, I expect it's mainly mailing list only.

I've enjoyed a few good NZ Pinots myself recently, (both in NZ and back in Aus), and concur that Marlborough 07's are rather good indeed. Pity the region suffers from Savvy overload exposure so much. They also do some great Riesling and Gewurtz. (and I've always had a soft spot for the Fromm Montepulciano)

NZ Pinot enjoyment for me recently...

Seresin 07
Felton Road Block 5 07 (in time I expect this will be amazing)
Wild Earth 07
Pegasus Bay 06 and 07
Allan Scott Joseph 07
Montana 'T' Terraces 07

And quite a few others once I get some photos imported to refresh my memory...

Not all stunning, but certainly all very enjoyable.

Cheers
TiggerK

[SueNZ]

The Bell Hill seem to be very exclusive these days, with very minimal production, I expect it's mainly mailing list only.

The Bell Hill reminds me of Corbans who had the designation 'CB' for some of their top wines.
We used to joke the 'CB' stood for 'Can't Buy'.
It eventually became Cottage Block.

I've never ever seen a Bell Hill wine, although I've read lots about them. They seem to be part of the visiting wine writer program and this is not the first time they have been at the Pinot Noir event. However they are part of the portfolio of Kemp Rare Wines and seem to be available in quite a number of restaurants. Providence is also in the portfolio, as is Pyramid Valley and Puriri Hills. Rare, and expensive!

[Peter NZ]

Apart from Kemps, Bell Hill is indeed mail order only, at least in NZ. Prices reflect miniscule production & reputation -- I bought the '04 at $70 but initially baulked at paying $95 for the '06. Changed my mind though after tasting.

On '08 vs '07 Central Otago vintages, the '08s certainly appear more elegant in comparison to the '07s, but I've tasted some very good ones, with the FR & CR ranges coming to mind in particular.

And on Neudorf, yes, cellar time may well be the answer -- I had an '01 Home Block around Christmas which was very impressive.

Cheers
Peter

[Curt]

Hi Peter, have heard good things about the Serisen single vineyard wines .. checked out their site and while the Sun & Moon is obviously "their best",
its out of my price range ... did you have any notes / thoughts on the others ? Cheers, Curt

[Peter NZ]

Hi Peter, have heard good things about the Serisen single vineyard wines .. checked out their site and while the Sun & Moon is obviously "their best",
its out of my price range ... did you have any notes / thoughts on the others ? Cheers, Curt

Sun & Moon was actually my least favourite, at least for drinking any time soon ... quality of all the others was very high, & I'd happily spend their asking prices. (I don't see anything I'd disagree with in the Neil Martin reviews they're quoting on their website.)