I bought this Central Otago PN on release for the 2009 vintage. Before the hikes in VAT, logistics and NZ high fashion.

The wine is named after a landing jetty for duck shooting from small craft and dingies on a large lake somewhere in CO - Not WW11

So, it was the right side of £15, two thirds of the current price at £20 for the 2011.

The fruit for this wine is supplied, (or found by ) Felton Road. In the search for NZ burgundy clones. Not a mistake, but a mailing from Laithwaites knowing my penchant for a succulent Beaune without the depth of pocket to support it.

Hand harvested, Burgundian oak, wild yeasts and traditional techniques are employed to make this wine

Opened the 1st one on Saturday night to go with Salmon and a herb mash for mains, with more rasberries and a chocolate (runny in the middle) pudding sponge for afters.

Wow ....This NZ pinot is no sweeter than best Beaune ! Thank you, Wow...., this pinot does not have a medicinal nose - Thank you, This is not overly pressed / extracted !

The best 'affordable' new world pinot noir so far, many steps in the right direction. It needs more bottle age to gain complexity. If I could extract 1% off the 14 alc, the wine could go into my virtual gallery of PN specials. At the current price though, I'm staying with the complexity and elegance of Cote d'Or, when or if, I can find the bargains ! NZ needs to be careful now, not to price themselves out of the mainstream for dinner party Pinot Noir.

For new world PN - it has to earn a star 22/09/12

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Duncan

Says Decanter

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Cheers Ba. Only just seen that bronze one liner. The wine has moved on since those D guys tasted it. I was not getting rhubarb notes on this PN.

As I say, moving towards a full and softer Beaune style. Pale garnet too - Phew. Next year I'll report again, with luck, further interest could be in the offing.

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Duncan