Featured Reviews




Earth's End and Mt Edward ‘Muirkirk' Pinot Noirs 2010

13 June,2012
The core of Duncan Forsyth's business of Mount Edward wines is making Pinot Noir. Mount Edward Pinot Noir captures the essence of Central Otago by utilising fruit from a range of fruit sources including the home Gibbston area, the Lowburn and Bannockburn districts. In doing so, the label is one of the most respected of the region. Duncan has, as most wine producers do, created different tiers and specialist expressions of Pinot Noir. The second label ‘Earth's End' offers real value, and the single vineyard wines from Mount Edward encapsulate terroir. They can be seen as extremes of what Duncan Forsyth makes with Pinot Noir. Here, I review the 2010 releases of the ‘Earth's End' and ‘Muirkirk' Bannockburn Pinot Noirs. The vintage is regarded as an exceptional one for Central Otago, generally producing significantly structured wines. www.mountedward.com

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW



Earth's End Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010

Pinot Noir from New Zealand – Otago

18.5-/20

The second tier of Mount Edward, the label featuring rugby figures performing the ‘Ka Mate' haka. Fruit from the company's Lowburn and Gibbston vineyards, a small portion whole bunch, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in French oak, a low percentage new. Very dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red with light purple on rim, youthful in appearance. The nose features fresh, ripe cherry-berry aromas lifted with violetty florals. Some herb and steel notes to the aromatics show along with the perfumes. Medium-full bodied, ripe, dark cherry and berry flavours feature with a trace of herbs underneath. The palate is marked by fresh, lively acidity enhancing the fruit sweetness. Fine-grained tannins support the fruit richness, being supple and unobtrusive. The wine has a soft, lifted floral finish with very good length. This is a bright-fruited, well-ripened Pinot Noir with excellent freshness and balance. Serve with Asian cuisine over the next 4-5+ years. 18.5-/20 Aug 2012 RRP $26.95

The second tier of Mount Edward, the label featuring rugby figures performing the ‘Ka Mate' haka. Fruit from the company's Lowburn and Gibbston vineyards, a small portion whole bunch, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in French oak, a low percentage new. Very dark, deep, black-red colour with purple hues on edge. The nose is very full and solid with ripe, savoury dark cherry and berry aromas that reveal layers of dark thyme herb and spices. Medium-full bodied, rich and succulent dark berry fruit flavours are intermixed with dark plums, spices herbs and violetty characters. This has weight, density and drive and the fruit is supported by supple tannins underneath. Good acidity is present enlivening the fruitiness which carries through to a long, flavoursome finish. This is a rich, plump and weighty Pinot Noir with suppleness and verve to match Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 4-6 years. 18.5-/20 Jun 2012 RRP $26.95

Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade', the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews' operates

Mount Edward ‘Muirkirk Vineyard' Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010

Pinot Noir from New Zealand – Otago

19/20

Mainly clones 6 and Pommard. With Abel and 10/5, from the 5.5 ha ‘Muirkirk' site on Felton Road, Bannockburn, indigenous yeast fermented with approx. 20% whole bunch to 13.3% alc., the wine aged 14 months in 25% new French oak. Full, deep, purple-hued red colour. Concentrated and intense aromas of black berried fruits are complexed by edgy mineral and savoury herb nuances, the aromatics interwoven and detailed. Medium-full bodied, firmly packed and concentrated flavours of black berry and cherry fruits form a good deep core with good drive. Violets, iron-earth and minerals unfold with oak spices. The tannin extraction is in support of the intense, rich and dense mouthfeel, but builds to feature on the finish, the wine quite textured, showing dark florals, black fruits and spices. This is a concentrated black fruited, minerally Pinot Noir with the core and structure to develop over 8-10 years. Serve with casseroles and slow-cooked game meat. 160 cases made. 19.0/20 Aug 2012 RRP $65.00

Very full, very dark, deep, purple-hued red colour, this has a restrained, but stylishly proportioned nose with beautifully pure black cherry and berry fruit aromas that unfold to reveal ripe plum, dark spices and ethereal nuances of violets and minerals. Medium-full bodied, rich and lush flavours of black cherry fruit form a concentrated and deep core. This is very refined in texture with fine-grained tannins providing a smooth flowing mouthfeel. Lacy acidity balances the fruit richness, lending detail to the flavour nuances. The finish is rich, long and elegant. This is a beautiful and fine-featured Pinot Noir with ripe black fruits showing the Bannockburn terroir. Match with Asian duck and pork dishes over the next 6-8 years. Mainly clone 6 and Pommard, with Abel and 10/5 from the 5.5 ha ‘Muirkirk' vineyard on Felton Road, Bannockburn, approx. 20% whole bunch, wild yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 14 months in French oak, 25% new. 160 cases made. 18.5+/20 Jun 2012 RRP $65.00

Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade', the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews' operates

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