Sometimes wines try to be too serious and lack charm, but
some of the charming ones can be lightweight. However, a few
gems manage to be both at once, like the Quartz Reef wines in
this tasting.
BEST VALUE
• Forrest Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010, $25
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
Fragrant and lush with suggestions of cherry and dark
berries, spicy, oaky undertones, a silky
texture and attractive finish.
www.forrest.co.nz
• Murdoch James Martinborough Pinot Noir 2010,
$25
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
A hint of mineral, generous fruit - elderberries, plums and
cranberries, with a suggestion of
charred wood and dark chocolate, a herbal edge and savoury
undertones with a lively finish.
www.murdochjames.co.nz
• Quartz Reef Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010,
$40
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
Classic Central pinot with generous, concentrated fruit
supported by spicy oak, rich, savoury, mouthfilling and
powerful with a firm backbone but also full of charm.
Drinking nicely now, but will develop with bottle age.
www.quartzreef.co.nz
• Framingham Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010,
$35
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Below average value
Fragrant with hints of toast and smoky bacon, plums and spicy
cherry pie, textural and well balanced with a firm, crisp
finish.
www.framingham.co.nz
• Folding Hill Bendigo Pinot Noir 2009, $38
Four stars (out of five)
Average value
Dark and spicy with earthy undertones and hints of mint,
black doris plums and cherries, lots
of toasty oak, this is a big, mouthfilling wine
initially soft and cuddly but with firm muscular
tannins and a lip-smacking finish.
www.foldinghill.co.nz
• Richmond Plains Nelson Pinot Noir 2010,
$23
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
A lighter, edgy wine with hints of plums, spice, toast and
mineral, a crisp finish.
www.richmondplains.co.nz
ANOTHER GLASS
• Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir 2010, $77
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Average value
The black label Quartz Reef is a fine, complex wine with
layers of flavour - dark berryfruit, cherry,
dark chocolate, spicy, toasty oak with savoury undertones and
a floral hint.
It's well structured with a lovely texture, weight in the
mouth, firm finish and a long aftertaste. Despite the
concentration and flavour, it also has a lightness of touch
and great charm.
Delicious now, but will continue to develop for another few
years.
www.quartzreef.co.nz
• Murdoch James Blue Rock Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010,
$39
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Below average value
Hints of bonfire and charred wood, mouthfilling with a silky
texture and dark, savoury, earthy undertones, this big,
concentrated wine will develop complexity with a little
more bottle age.
www.murdochjames.co.nz
• Momo Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009, $27
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
A crisp, lighter wine with hints of plums, mineral, spice and
savoury hints, undertones of
forest floor and a lively, edgy finish. At three years old,
it's good with food.
www.momowine.com
• Although wine sent for review is tasted blind
to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting
and evaluation is subjective. These are personal
recommendations.
charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.