Pinot noir reviews contd.

John Saker
Capital Times - 6-12 July 2005
2003 was a standout vintage for Wairarapa pinot. This wine reflects that. It has a gorgeous nose: sweet, dark, floral and interesting. The palate entry offers more of the same... big, fleshy texture, and opulent, dark cherry and fruitcake flavours.

Jancis Robinson
NZ Supplement - Decanter Magazine - June 2005
TOP 10 PINOT NOIRS
#1 - Martinborough Vineyard 2003 Pinot Noir2002 PINOT NOIR

Michael Cooper
Classic Wines of New Zealand - Second Edition - 2005
***1/2
Medium ruby, with a hint of early development. Slightly herbal bouquet. Less ripe and concentrated than the 2003. Savoury, spicy and firm. A forward year.

Anthony Gismondi
Vancouver Sun - 19 March 2005
A big rootsy licorice, barnyard and carott-top nose streaked with candied orange rind and dried cherry nose. It's ripe and supple in the mouth with black cherry, orange peel, spicy licorice and smoky, oaky Worcestershire flavours. Great mouth feel and balance, even if it's bit funky on the nose.

Peter Saunders
F&B Magazine - Best of the best wine guide - December 2004
Plenty of taste, plenty of tone, a lovely Pinot Noir still opening up from what are largely the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Martinborough. Some delicious aromatics set up a well-spined fruit statement which shows finesse already, although we can expect the best to emerge through 2005 and beyond. Lovely drinking.

Metro - November 2004 - Epicure / One Fine Wine
Too many NZ pinot noirs fail to live up to the expectations created by their cost. Not so the range of pinot noirs from Martinborough Vineyards in the Wairarapa. They are consistently good, expertly made, with great attention to and understanding of the idiosyncratic pinot grape. the company, which also makes some very good chardonnay and dessert wines, clearly has a special affinity for pinot, producing wines with great depth of flavour and finesse. The 2002 is available at around $60 but don't ignore earlier vintages if they are offered. Take everything you can lay your hands on and treasure them. They will improve further with a little bottle age and are well worth the wait.

John Saker
Capital Times - Wines of the Times Supplement
- 3-9 November 2004
**** Rasberry, cherry and meaty, more savoury aromas. Lovely, juicy fruit nicely set off against quite zesty acids. Medium weight and a little dry and tight on the finish.

Eating Out Magazine - Winter 2004
Martinborough Vineyard is known as a pioneer of Pinot Noir in New Zealand so it's good to see that their handcrafted wines such as the Pinot Noir 2002 are right up there as far as quality as concerned. The 2002 Pinot Noir is designed for bottle ageing but we still found it an exceptional wine with excellent fruit, lovely cherry flavours, and a lingering finish.

Charmian Smith
Otago Daily Times - 18 August 2004
Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir 2002 is a many-layered wine, perfumed, concentrated and powerful with a hint of mineral and earthiness underlying the cherry and plum fruit. There's also a hint of pepper and an exciting herbal touch that lifts the flavours. It is one of New Zealand's classic pinot noirs and deserves cellaring for a few years to allow it to develop.

> Pinot Noir Reviews contd.

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