Pick Your Pinot Noirs Carefully

There are a large number of Pinot Noirs coming on to the market, most of the 2007s and new release 2008s. Generalising, the 2007s are the better wines, with greater depth, concentration and structure. Many will cellar well and will be worth investing in. I was particularly impressed with the Carrick, Muddy Water ‘Hare’s Breath’, Neudorf Moutere, Pegasus Bay, and Seresin’s ‘Rachel’ in the top order. Also showing well in the 2007 Pinot Noirs were the Ara ‘Composite’, Jackson Estate ‘Gum Emeror’, the two Main Divide ‘Selection’ wines, the ‘Tehau’ from Waipara and ‘Tipinui’ from Marlborough, and Wairau River’s ‘Home Block’. The 2008 Pinot Noirs are, again generalising, lighter in structure, charming with their sweet red fruits and will be drinking earlier. The most serious and noteworthy was the Ata Rangi, as could be expected. They have pulled one out of the hat with this release. And of the older releases, the Fromm ‘Clayvin Vineyard ’ and ‘Fromm Vineyard’ 2005 wines will go a long way.

The Matariki Reserve 2007 from Hawke’s Bay and the Zilzie Coonawarra 2008 were excellent Cabernet Sauvignon varietals. And Australia Shiraz impressed with the 2007 Grant Burge ‘Miamba’ and ‘Filsell’ Shiraz wines and a stunning Wirra Wirra ‘RSW’ 2007.

Of the whites, some outstanding Chardonnay wines were on offer. Ata Rangi’s ‘Craighall’ 2008, Neudorf Moutere 2007, Stonecroft ‘Old Vine’ 2006 and the new Te Mata ‘Elston’ 2008 were sensational. Rieslings also looked very good. The Carrick ‘Josephine’ 2008. Fromm ‘Spatlese’ 2007 and Seresin ‘Memento’ indicative of the interest in the new generation of medium-styled, lower alcohol Germanic styles. For a number of people, the ‘Sugar Daddy’ Botrytis Riesling 2008 from Riesling specialist Belinda Gould at Muddy Water stole the show. The Muddy Water Rieslings of all styles are a great collection.