Synopsis, Our Opinion: The flavors were light and muddy so it was a bit disappointing.
Producer/Winery: Donaldson Family; Canterbury, New Zealand.
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir.
Geographic Appellation: Waipara Valley, New Zealand.
Vintage: 2012
Price: $34.95
Purchased From: Woodland Hills Wine Company; Woodland Hills, California.
Paired With: Pork tenderloin seasoned with ginger, garlic and rosemary, mac & cheese, sauteed apples and cabbage flavored with sesame seed.
Tasting:
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He said: Opened one hour before drinking. Clear, light ruby color. Little or no aroma. Light body, thin slightly tart cherry and raspberry flavors that finish with soft tannins, increasing concentration and a fairly long ending with hints of mineral in the aftertaste. OK paired with the pork but I was disappointed with the lack of bouquet and listless flavor. Until about mid-palate it just didn’t have much going for it, than it began to shine with more concentrated taste all the way through the finish. From the store recommendation I expected this would be a noteworthy New Zealand Pinot Noir, unfortunately the flavors were light and muddy so it was a bit disappointing. The bottle had a tight screw cap so the dulled taste may have come from exposure to heat before I purchased the wine.
She said: Clear, bright ruby red, with long evenly spaced well moving legs. I knew it was a very well rated wine and expected a lot, but was disappointed when the aroma was little more than hints of alcohol. The faint flavor was dark cherry accompanied by a light to medium body, modest tannins and smooth mouth feel. The finish was long and flavorful with a slight tartness. The wine was terrific with the pork and nicely accompanied the rest of the dinner. At $35 I expected more of a Pinot Noir and would shop around before buying this one again.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
UPC Code: 9419006 100910
Imported by: Empson USA; Alexandria, Virginia.
Photo from Pegasus Bay.