Tasted 4 May 2011

This is where I petered out. Sometimes I start with reds and so do fewer whites, but can never resist tasting more of the first colour I choose and so allow time for the others, before my mouth holds up a white flag.

New World Reds

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2009 £14.99
100% Pinot Noir from a blend of selected vineyards in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys of Marlborough. The grapes are individually hand harvested, destemmed and cold soaked for around 10 days and then fermented at temperatures of 32°C. The cap is hand plunged 4 times daily to ensure soft extraction of the fruit. The wine is then matured in French barriques and rested on full lees over winter until spring when malolactic fermentation occurs.
No residual sugar. Winemaker - George Geris
New and exclusive, available 1 June, 175 stores, natural cork 14.0%
Lovely NW Pinot nose. Sweet cherry and plenty of secondary flavours. Like it.

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mel