Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/10329
CELLAR FOCUS In March, THE TASTING PANEL hosted a tasting of New Zealand’s new releases at Nobu in Los Angeles. Most of the wines were from the excellent 2008 vintage. Before the main tasting, David Strada, who represents New Zealand wines in the U.S., gave a fascinating seminar on Pinot Noir with an emphasis on consistency and aging potential. A group of top 2003 Pinots were compared to equally venerable 2007s. Most impressive among the older wines were 2003 Ata Rangi (Martinborough, 91 points); 2003 Pegasus Bay (Waipara, 92); and 2003 Rippon Vineyard (Central Otago, 93). The 2007s that demonstrated that Kiwi Pinots are here to stay were: Escarpment (Martinborough, 92); Bell Hill (North Canterbury near Waipara, 92); and—my favorite wine of the tasting—the Peregrine (Central Otago, 93). As the young Pinot vineyards mature you can expect to see more and more wines that present a real challenge to the Burgundian originals. New Zealand’s forward-thinking wine industry has made a commitment to modern wine closure with nearly every bottle being sealed with a screwcap. And this year the industry has committed itself to being 100% sustainable by 2012; they are already 75% of the way to this goal. These were the recent New Zealand Pinot Noirs that I especially liked: Alana Estate 2008 Pinot Noir, Martinborough ($48) Dense; long and meaty; balanced, ripe, and complex. 90 points PACIFIC VINE INTERNATIONAL Ara Composite 2008 Pinot Noir, Marlborough Smooth and pure; fresh and food-friendly. 89 SEEKING U.S. IMPORTER Astrolabe 2008 Pinot Noir, Marlborough Smooth and fresh; juicy, long, and balanced. 89 SEEKING U.S. IMPORTER Bell Hill 2007 Pinot Noir, North Canterbury Racy, earthy, meaty and miner- ally; juicy and long; lively and well-balanced. 92 SEEKING U.S. IMPORTER Escarpment 2007 Pinot Noir, Martinborough ($35) Black cherry and spice; rich and ripe with lovely tea fl avors; intense and structured. 92 EMPSON USA Wild Earth 2008 Pinot Noir, Central Otago ($32) Juicy, racy, and fresh; lively and long on the fi nish. 89 SAN FRANCISCO WINE EXCHANGE may 2010 / the tasting panel / 65 Tarras Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir, “The Steppes,” Central Otago ($35) Dense with black cherry and spicy notes; rich and long. 89 TARRAS VINEYARDS USA Mt. Di∞ culty 2008 Pinot Noir, Central Otago ($35) Smooth, elegant, and juicy; long, fresh, and balanced; refi ned and polished. 90 AMERICAN WINE ESTATES Peregrine 2007 Pinot Noir, Central Otago ($35) Powerful and astonishingly ripe with juicy fl avors and loads of red cherry; simply stunning. 93 VINEYARD BRANDS Quartz Reef 2008 Pinot Noir, Central Otago ($35) Racy and clean with lively acidity; balanced and fresh. 89 ROCK CREEK WINE MERCHANTS Spy Valley 2008 Pinot Noir, Marlborough ($29) Racy and fresh; long and bright with keen cherry fl avors and lovely fruit. 89 BROADBENT SELECTIONS Tarras 2007 Pinot Noir, Central Otago ($30) Ripe and tea-like with bright cherry and spice; long and charming. 89 TARRAS VINEYARDS USA Central Otago is New Zealand’s most promising appellation for Pinot Noir. PHOTO COURTESY OF SEIFRIED PHOTO COURTESY OF TARRA