Blind Tasting, NZ Pinots

Went to Blind Tasting, Theme was Pinot Noir from New Zealand, and there was one non-Pinot non-New Zealand, very interesting to say the least.  First of all the Morgon Cru Beaujolais well made, and since I was not getting any bubble gum notes I enjoyed it, could see it totally passing for a Light bodies Pinot Noir, especially with some Entry Level NZ Pinots.  


New Zealand Pinot Noir, Well Made, good quality, at every price point they are tasty, its almost like you can not go wrong with them.  I almost feel comfortable just grabbing a random one off the shelf and not worrying about it being bad





YVRWINE - THE HEARTBREAK GRAPE - CENTRAL OTAGO - Scott Landon Antiques (4/19/2010)
A Pinot Noir Tasting of NZ, Focusing on Central Otago, One Non NZ Wine was snuck in. This was a Blind Tasting Format

Pre-Game

Pre Wine, Not Tasted Blind really good way to start off a tasting

• 2006 Pyramid Valley Riesling Lebecca Vineyard - New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury
  Pale Lemon, Aromas of Nuts, Ripe Pear and Good ole Petrol, On the Palate Lemon, Petrol, Apple, Very Round, Med Body, Med Sweet. Good Balance just a beautiful wine great acidity just makes this wine not taste super sweet good thing (90 pts.)

• 2007 Flying Kiwi Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island
  Clear, Pale+ Ruby, Aromas of Ham, Richness, Opening up with some Minty, Steamy, Bark. On the Palate, nice Tart Red Fruit Cranberry/Sour Cherry, Med+ Acid, Opening up with Some Earthiness, Minty.
  
  Conclusion, this did amazingly well after opening up for an hour or so, and the price not to shabby (88 pts.)
• 2008 Marcel Lapierre Morgon - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon
  Clear Ruby, Aromas Closed, A little ripe fruit coming through, Palate, Kirsh Liquer, Dash Astringent [Good] opening up with Cherrys and Strawberrys.
  
  Conclusion I totally enjoyed this wine, I would of not guessed Gamay I know there were some others at the tasting getting the banana/bubble gum notes which I would of hated and would of guessed Beaujolais but I was not picking up any of those (89 pts.)
• 2006 Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Eaton Family Vineyard - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough, Omaka Valley
  Aroma of Campbell Alphabet Soup, Spice, Bready. On the Palate Tomato Stalk, Veg, Red Cherry, Med Body, Med+Acid, Big cherry a funny balance tho
  
  Conclusion I found the breadiness of the wine to much to truly enjoy, with so air the Balance did harmonize but a bready pinot (85 pts.)
• 2007 Rippon Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka
  Aroma a sweetness of rich fruit, meaty, Gamey, Mint, A Dash of Oak in Balance. On the Palate Cherry Skin, Meaty, Good Acid, Good Balance. This opens up Beautifully and was my WOTN
  
  Conclusion, needs air then its just beautiful and maybe a little cheese but oh so good [89-91] (91 pts.)
• 2006 Felton Road Pinot Noir Calvert - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
  Aroma of Watermelon Peel, Veg [Tom Stalk] Cabbage. On the Palate med Body, High Acid, High toned fruit, floral, spice, sweet ripe fruit.
  
  Conclusion, a good wine i found when it opened up a became a little to "sweet" the ripeness just came through, (89 pts.)

Yeah I like Pinot, and NZ Pinot is pretty good too, all the wines were good beside each other so it was hard to find that stood out as being number but there were some
Posted from CellarTracker

THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE (Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail.) • Extraordinary (96-100 points) • Outstanding (90-95) • Very Good to Excellent (85-89) • Good (80-84) • Average (75-79) • Below average (70-74) • Avoid (50-70)