18 August, 2011

2006 Tirohana Estate Pinot Noir

Date tasted: August, 2011
Where: MPLS
Notes: We initially encountered this wine during a tour of the Martinborough region in late 2008, whilst living and working in nearby Wellington. We loved this "young" wine then as an embodiment of the Côte d'Or Burgundy style-- simple, generous, mellow and balanced. We shipped a case back on our return and have held the last bottle for three years now in anticipation of our return to New Zealand, this time as permanent residents.We shared this bottle with friends Matt and Beth, who are celebrating their first year in Minneapolis.
The wine, which we remembered as translucent ruby-colored, smelled musty and poured out a deep, opaque purple. No corking here, though (the Kiwis sagely use screw tops), but rather a maturation into a wine that reminded Matt of California Cab and me a bit of good Malbec. The wine opened up nicely over the course of an hour-- with acid up front, followed by tart notes of cherry and earthy cranberry, then finishing with a long, pleasing minerality. I do not know how much longer this wine will hold, but it structure at 5 years is remarkable.

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