Craggy Range Pinot Noir Aroha 08

Craggy Range ‘Aroha’ Pinot Noir 2008 (19.0-/20), at 13.5% alc, fruit from Te Muna Road, 5% destemmed, indigenous yeasts, 14 months in 37% new French barriques. Dark, deep ruby red in colour, this possessed a rich, subtle bouquet, with restrained sumptuousness. Though a little closed, there was a brooding core and concentration. On palate, this was a wine of density and weight, real size and presence, showing rich dark-red fruit characters, the aromatic nature waiting to unfold. At present quite closed and somewhat dulled, but the potential is obvious. Finishes with real length. This is 10 year wine.  RC July 10

Craggy Range ‘Aroha’ Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2008 (19.0/20), at 13.5% alc, 5% whole bunch, was native yeast fermented and aged 14 months in 37% new French oak barriques. Medium deep ruby red in colour, this had a beautifully elegant bouquet marked by floral perfumes, and soft red fruits, penetrating yet poised on being ethereal. A wine of finesse allied to concentration, depth and intensity, subtle, but rich flavours of red fruits with hints of spices, earth and minerals were framed within a fine-textured structure still with rawness and firmness. The long finish and promise from the concentration will see this wine age 7-9 years easily.  RC June 10

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