I have enjoyed a number of good quality New Zealand whites, but precious few of their increasingly famous Pinot Noirs. Thus I was very excited to find our local wine merchant was featuring "New Zealand" wines for their weekly lunchtime tasting (yes, I had to go back to work, but it was for Charity...).One of those wines was tonight's 2004 Margrain Pinot Noir, which hails from the Martinborough (Wairarapa) region. My friend and I really liked this wine, so I bought two bottles. Nice ruby red in colour, with an attractive 'summer fruit' nose. Scents of cherry, mint, vanilla, and musk, with some earthy undertones, this was a pleasing, but uncomplicated, nose. On the palate this wine was terrific - extremely well balanced, with nice acidity and cherry fruit, good persistency and gentle tannins. More 'old world' than 'new world' in style, it was a very nice example of Pinot Noir, and it paired very nicely with a Pork Tenderloin in a Dijon Sour Cream sauce.
cork. 13.5% alcohol
Score: 16/20
Price: C$29 (SAQ)
PS - After we finished this bottle, it was off to Tasmania for a 2005 Ninth Island Pinot Noir - not as balanced as the Margrain, but a terrific nose and nice crisp acidity - a great value at C$21.
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2 comments:
I too have enjoyed some very good New Zealand pinots of late, Stoneleigh 2003 from Marlborough is one example. Am also enjoying NZ 2006 Sauvignon Blancs!
Hooray, a comment on this rare wine that I quite liked! I will look for the Stoneleigh, but no need to remind me of the Sauvignon Blancs - all over those! Cheers!
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