Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

The Nanny Goat label is available through most larger or quality independent wine stores. The Pinot Noir variety is difficult to grow as the skins are very thin which makes them susceptible to sunburn. In the right hands this style of wine can be mesmerising. The Central Otago versions are generally a bit bigger and can come at a significant cost. This wine is neither of those at it is medium bodied and under 30 bucks.

Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

This has everything that a Pinot lover would want as it is no more than medium bodied with flavours of fresh cut herbs and cherry pips covered in summer flowers. The wine comes across as a romantic in that it would sing you a love sonnet all day long. These beautiful notes enchant the senses in a warm and loving manner which is perfect for this time of year.

Alcohol: 13.4%
Price: $29
Rated: 89
Drink: Now - 2018
Importer: Red & White

Totara Pinot Noir 2010

Central Otago is so picturesque and would have to be one of the most beautiful areas to visit. If you are thinking of a holiday then I suggest that you get on a plane and head on over. Make sure you visit Arrow town as his has some funky restaurants and gorgeous buildings plus it is only a stones throw away from the adventure capital of New Zealand. Here is a photo of Arrowtown which I think does even do the town justice it is so mesmerising.

                                                    Image from goldenfleece.co.nz

Totara Pinot Noir 2010

Much lighter than I was expecting but the palate weight doesn't reduce the enjoyment factor at all. It is the style of wine that I could see myself drinking with a light pasta meal on a wednesday night.  The flavours pop out of the glass with such vigor it reminds me of a hip hop dancer. The very good lenth of flavour are typically Central Otago in nature but the mid-palate is a little more extractive in nature than I would expect. There is a drive of acidity under the fruit pulling the flavors forward and up which I rather like. Now here is the thing. The wines price is very low in price and the quality to very good which makes this wine an easy buy and try choice.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $16
Rated: 85
Drink: Now - 2017



Felton Road Pinot Noir's & 2008 Chardonnay

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2011

Tight as hell at this stage but equally as powerful.  Felton road's base Pinot Noir always delivers much to be enjoyed with a little extra twig action this year.  Don't get me wrong, the wine is still chock full of fruit in the form of cherry, spice, blueberries and dried rose petals with a touch of thyme making its move in the back ground.  The wine has beautiful length and poise but is held back by a little alcohol heat on the back palate.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $56
Rated: 92
Drink: 2015 - 2020
Importer: Red + White

Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2011

I have never tasted a block 3 before and I can see why this sells out quickly. This tastes like it has been injected with wild herbs and dark cherries before a mouth puckering set of tannins take over. The wine has layers of flavours and texture but it is a little to coiled up tight for full enjoyment at this stage of it's development. Watch out for this one in a few years time as it will rock your world.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $95
Rated: 95+
Drink: 2017 - 2026
Importer: Red + White

Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2008

The main feature of these Felton Road wines is that they are reserved and cerebral in their approach. What happens here is that there are elements of richness mixed with a lightness of weight. Once the wine is open I can smell caramelised nuts and smoked peach before an army of grapefruit marches in to take over. The mid-palate is rich as hell but everything finishes light and vibrant. Drink now? NO!

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $55
Rated: 92+
Drink: Give it four years.
Importer: Red + White

Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir 2010

Central Otago has been one of the most talked about areas in the New World for the production of quality Pinot Noir. So much so that everyone has stood up and taken notice. The area is a haven for cool climate winemaking so when this came across my desk, I immediately took out a huge glass.

Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir 2010

This is a beast of a Pinot with wild flavours of field plums and fresh picked cherries before a hulk of an oak derived tannin structure and warmth from the alcohol kicks in on the mid palate. If the alcohol can work itself out then you have something really special on my hands but at this stage the two areas of distraction just took over for me. This is still a very good wine with a hefty price tag from an area that commands big dollars for entry.


Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $80
Rated: 87
Drink: Not now
Importer: Red + White

Felton Road Chardonnay 2010

When Chardonnay is good it can blow your mind with complexity and ease of flavours.  Blair Walter crafts some of the best Pinot Noir that I have tasted yet this is the first time I have touched his Chardonnay.

Felton Road Chardonnay 2010

What you get here is an elegant wine with plenty of muscle under the hood. The wine has a little spritz on opening but that soon blows off to reveal pears, spring flowers and orange peel encapsulated in caramelised nuts and glazed grapefruit.  For a wine that is so young I can already feel the beauty within as the flavour copulate with my taste buds. I know that sounds like a weird word to use in a tasting note but I enjoyed this so much I couldn't think of any other word that fit better.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $45
Rated: 92 ++
Drink: 2014 - 2023
Importer: Red & White

Valli Old Vine Riesling 2010

This little winery has only been around for 13 years but they are dedicated to producing individual vineyards wines to showcase the unique terrior within New Zealand. Since their inception they have twice won the best pinot in the world at the London International Wine challenge.  What a start for a young winery.  This is definitely a winery to support especially as they offer these wines at cheap prices when you compare them to their fellow Central Otago friends. 

Valli Old Vine Riesling 2010


Pristine, pure and lively flavours slowly unfold as the wine opens up in the glass.  The wine reminds me of walking into a florist, eating an apple as my best mate threw some quartz and a grapefruit at me.  Well that didn’t happen but the same flavours bounce around in my mouth as if it happened.  If nothing is to be learned from this tasting note then it should be that a good story shouldn’t get in the way of describing the flavours of a wine.  All this talk of flavour is making me thirst so I’m off to the fridge for another glass.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $30
Rated: 91
Drink: 2013 - 2020

Pyramid Valley Vineyards Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard 2008

Central Otago would have to be one of the most idiotic places to plants vineyards.  Most of the vineyards are planted in the mountains which see snow in winter and sometimes in summer.  My wife and I went to Queenstown and the surrounding areas for a holiday where we were blown away by the sheer brilliance of the scenery.  It is a must for lovers of Pinot and skiing. Here is a little slice of what it looks like during winter.

 

Image from Squidoo

Pyramid Valley Vineyards Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard 2008

I had this open for 10 hours before we tried it with dinner and it still needed another 10 to show its best.  This is a serious Pinot Noir with massive structure cascading over your tongue yet never dominating the flavours.  Imagine lying down as someone forces cherries, sour cranberries, earth and white pepper into your mouth.  You want to say no, as the calorie count is heading north, yet the flavour profile is so inviting.

Alcohol: 14.3%
Price: $90
Rated: 94
Drink: 2015 - 2020
Importer: Whole Bunch Wines