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As we go to print with this edition of The Shout NZ, I will have been to London to judge the Decanter World Wine Awards as the chair for the New Zealand panel. The five days of judging includes a significant number of Pinot Noir from the main regions of Aotearoa. In preparing for this challenge, tasting through quite a few Pinots Noir to ensure I have some proper reference points and style ideas is a necessary and enjoyable preparation task. This helps me set some reference points to discuss with my fellow judges as the need arises. Pinot Noir has become more than a serious wine for brand New Zealand and the producers who make these wines. With so many influences on the final blend in bottle – from aromatic profile, taste and texture, vintage and soil type, clone and cropping levels to winemaking choices – the range and styles available are endless, or so it seems. The one attribute I feel all Pinot Noir wines should display is ‘pinosity’. What I mean by this, is they should not only reflect the variety’s natural light red fruit profile, but show a delicate side or prettiness, floral; fine tannins with an abundance of texture, a balanced line of acidity and judicious use of oak. Regional signatures are becoming more apparent as well. What’s not so good for Pinot Noir is alcohol that is too high unbalancing the wine, jammy or cooked fruit flavours, overuse of oak and sometimes wines that are released somewhat too late, leaving little cellar time available to those buyers who like to use this option. Temperature of service and glassware have a significant impact on aromas and textures of Pinot Noir as well. Cellar temperature wine of 12.5 °Celsius is perfect when wine is poured with the glass doing the rest.
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QUARTZ REEF BENDIGO SINGLE FERMENT PINOT NOIR 2020 Fantastic bouquet, delicate, fine, layered, fruity, complex and seductive. Layers of red berries and dried roses woven between oak and mineral qualities. There a fine savoury, mineral and organic quality that adds its own mystery and sense of place. Equally fantastic on the palate with texture and energy, a core of red berries and cherry, floral and mineral flavours then a frame of oak and acidity. Complex and youthful, a wine that will continue to develop and age well. Best drinking from 2024 through 2034+. Be quick! Points 97 RRP $90.00 Distributor: Vintners Phone: (0800) 687 9463 www.quartzreef.co.nz
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AUNTSFIELD HAWK HILL MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR 2020 Complex and detailed bouquet with intensity of fruit, oak and pinosity. Youthful core of fruit with darker cherry and raspberry plum flavours, no mistaking the statement of oak, but marries into the wine seamlessly. A firm youthful structure with coarse chalk tannins and plenty of acidity accentuating the fruit and youthful side of the wine. Delicious, fresh and lengthy finish. Excellent drinking from 2024 through 2034+. Points 96 RRP $58.00 Distributor: Negociants NZ Phone: (09) 531 5222 www.auntsfield.co.nz
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AUNTSFIELD HERITAGE MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR 2020 Deeply complex and seductive bouquet. Aromas and flavours of mineral then fruit, flowers and oak. A satin texture touches the palate first followed by flavours of dark red berries, boysenberry, plum, cherry then oak and wood spices. Firm and taut texture with vibrant tannins and acidity requiring cellar time to settle and integrate. A delicious wine that will reward those who can wait. Best drinking from 2025 through 2035+. Points 96 RRP $95.00 Distributor: Negociants NZ Phone: (09) 531 5222 www.auntsfield.co.nz
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Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier. An experienced wine writer, commentator, judge, reviewer, presenter and consultant, he is the Beverage Director & Group Sommelier for Rodd & Gunn and is Patron of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association. Formerly academically in charge of the Wine and Beverage at AUT in Auckland, Douglas has also consulted to a variety of establishments, taking care of their wine lists, wine and food pairings, and staff training matters and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas. 24 THE SHOUT NZ – MAY 2022