The term "blind me" reminded me that in so many hobbies or passions there is language that can often be impenetrable to someone on the outside; wine is a pertinent example.
My friend did not throw Pinot into my eyes, nor did he wrap me in Luxaflex blinds, but he poured me the wines masked, or "blind", so that I would have no preconceptions as to producer, etc. The same way today’s wines were tasted.
One wine term explained, only a few hundred to go.
Revel in this group of Pinot Noirs from anywhere but Central.
2024 Balvonie Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Very good to excellent
Perfumed florality,
pencil lead, wisps of
earth, red fruits, a
backdrop of herb.
Youthful, medium-
weight, fresh acidity
lending a nicely juicy
quality. Feels already
open and ready to
enjoy, although
there’s a lick of fine
tannin providing
backbone. Now
strawberry and berry
compote, the fruit
more to the fore,
accentuating its
youthful character.
2023 Riverby Estate S.V Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Savoury notes lead,
tilled earth and
hummus, oak
nuances, red fruits
swelling. Deceptively
pale colour given its
depth, power in the
mouth, the structure
and acidity evident.
The palate continues
down the savoury,
forest floor path nicely
balanced with the fruit
weight, spices and
oak nuances. The fruit
grows with air, feels
like a lovely
complement to food
2023 Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to outstanding
Savoury characters lead
once again, oak spices,
mixed red and dark fruits
offering richness, a
delightful perfume grows
from the glass. Depth of
fruit clear to see, bright
vibrancy, while the acid
balance leaves you
feeling refreshed.
Wonderful counterpoint
of power without weight,
complex, engaging,
draws you back for
more. A wisp of
reduction with air adds
to the complexity. Smart
wine.
2024 Te Kairanga John Martin Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Ripely fruited, blueberry
at first, red and dark
fruits, smoke, savoury
notes arriving with air. A
burst of sweet fruit yet
closes nicely dry. Good
depth and weight to
this, acid and tannin
neatly supporting the
whole, a lovely, long
finish developing a lip-
smacking salivatory
quality. The fruit depth
gives this immediate
drinkability, but there’s
gas in the tank for future
development and
complexity.
2023 Riverby Estate S.V Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to outstanding
A nebbiolo like hue.
Perfumed, spices, light
savoury nuances, the fruit
neatly in support,
caramelised strawberry
perhaps? Power and
backbone evident, spices,
earthy humus, graphite,
now a sweet fruit core
comes into play, the
flavours hang long in the
mouth as it draws to a
dry, spicy close. Perfume
swelling, chewiness and
grip, integration and quiet
power without ever
seeming heavy.
2023 Riverby Estate S.V Forgotten Rows Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
A sense of florality,
lavender perhaps, lead
pencil, a dusty quality,
the fruit ever in support
but not intrusive.
Fascinating palate, hits
different buttons
altogether, beginning
with silkiness before the
fine, tannic grip shows
its mettle. There’s a
balsamic like influence,
real brightness to the
acidity and flavours that
linger in the mouth. A
stealth bomber that
creeps up on me.
