This time I’ve added a rare kiwi tempranillo to a group of pinot noirs from Marlborough and Martinborough: with the Spanish native tempranillo only being produced by a handful of wineries.
It proved to be quite a thrilling selection, so if you are looking for a wee change from Central Otago pinots, there are some lovely offerings here.
2021 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Savoury notes to the
fore, smoky bacon,
spices, florality
follows, berryfruits
and cherry. Tangy
tartness at first with
cranberry and
tamarillo, adding lead
pencil and earthy
tones. Brooding, firm
palate initially,
becoming nicely
creamy as it opens
up. Youthful, bold
chewy grip on the
close adding a black
tea/dried flowers
note. Lots going on,
full of flavour.
2021 Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
A sense of richness
and volume, darker
fruits, fleeting barnyard
notes, stony mineral,
building in fruit
intensity. Cherry with a
sweet/sour interplay,
flecks of herb,
raspberry drops, a
touch of anise, bold
and youthful with
chewy tannins coming
into play. Fresh,
vibrant, bright acidity,
becoming more supple
with air. Already very
enjoyable. Post reveal
good VFM.
www.martinborough-vineyard.co.nz
2019 Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Pinot Noir
Rating Outstanding
Exudes richness,
powerful savoury
qualities, dark fruits,
wisps of funk, florailty
gives a slight hint of
violets. Intrigue, draws
you back. Texturally rich,
raw silk, flavours
popping, wild herb,
spices, fruit, savoury
nuances, earth, there’s
a vibrancy and energy
to this and fine chewy
tannins. Complex,
beguiling, flavours
hang in the mouth,
delicious. Drinkability &
potential.
www.martinborough-vineyard.co.nz
2020 Villa Maria Taylors Pass Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
A rather wild and
funky element leads,
shifting quickly to tea-
leaf, crack pepper,
flower petal, darker
somewhat brooding
fruits. Cherry, lovely
fruit intensity, a little
fruit pith phenolic
adding to the texture,
then savoury notes,
bacon fat, stewed
fruits. With time
humus and a
bittersweet quality,
excellent flavour depth
and a long, dry close.
2021 Te Kairanga John Martin Martinborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Bold nose, darker
fruits, spices, herbs,
old roses becoming
more brooding, earth
and licorice notes. A
fruit pastille quality
melding sweet fruits
with a tangy influence,
roast beetroot with air.
Lovely fruit depth,
licorice again, tannins
rush in, a tingly quality
to the acidity. Fleshes
out nicely but that
bright acidity keeps
this lovely and fresh.
Lots to enjoy.
2021 Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo
blueberry, spices,
mixed berries,
tobacco, dusty
stones. Youthfully
bold with a plethora of
flavours echoing the
nose, adding a herb
note akin to lavender
on the long finish.
Chewy, almost grainy
tannins a corset to the
wine, the acidity
providing a lip-
smacking close that
gets the juices
flowing. Quite
delightful, drinkability
yet potential.
