This is what Bob Campbell said in September 2011.
Spicy, sappy Pinot Noir with red cherry, floral, plum and wild herb flavours. A dry and moderately austere style with light, drying tannins. Slightly edgy wine showing cool climate character.
The wine was on bin end offer in Tesco at 50% off, so £6.99, if I remember.
This wine has changed out of all recognition in the 21 months since that TN. The wine is quite sweet now, that oak austerity and drying tannins are completely absent. The wine is tannin light. I'm sorry that it does not exhibit a cool climate edgy style now.
If anything the wine is a we bit too hot, quite sweet in the same way a fortified Oloroso wine feels and has the nose of a cherry flavoured cough mixture. Very NZ new world, a concentrated cherry, a touch of vanilla oak and sweet spice.
The wine may develop into something more akin to a hot Italian pinot, not really my bag, but ok.
In terms of NZ pinot, this is a bit better than normal, because of the french oak, I'd rate the wine very differently to BC, too hot on 1st opening, but that may calm down. Further time may bring some complexity. Could be good with a cold meat lunch, say pork or cold lamb
_________________ Duncan
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