Featured Reviews




Starborough Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009

22 February,2012

As a Marlborough wine producer, James Jones of Starborough had to have a Pinot Noir to complete his range. Sauvignon Blanc was the initial base of the Starborough operation, but interestingly Pinot Gris has become his signature. The interest and success of the later variety has led him to release an Awatere single vineyard expression with the 2011 vintage (click here to see my review). Pinot Noir completes the picture for this brand which sources fruit from its estate vineyards on the Rapaura and Awatere sub-regions. The Starborough Pinot Noir fruit came on-line with the 2011 harvest and an estate Pinot Noir release will be made in October this year. In the meantime James has sourced fruit from nearby vineyards, and together with winemaker Dave Clouston has made Pinot Noir wine under the Starborough label to satisfy demand. Small quantities of a 2008 wine were made and now a 2009 is available. www.starborough.co.nz

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Starborough Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009

Pinot Noir from New Zealand – Marlborough

16.5+/20

A multi-clone blend of fruit from Hawkesbury Road and Brancott Road in the Southern Valleys, hand-picked and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5%alc., the wine aged 11 months in new and seasoned French oak barrels. Light ruby-red colour with some garnet hues, this has an elegant and attractively aromatic nose with strawberry and raspberry fruit lifted with red florals, herbs, peper and spices. Medium-bodied, bright, up-front, juicy raspberry and strawberry fruit flavours are lifted by fresh acidity. The tannin extraction is modest, enabling supple accessibility. The finish shows fruit sweetness with a fine tannin thread that leaves the palate dry. This is a bright, juicy, up-front and supple Pinot Noir to serve with antipasto, or with poultry and pork dishes over the next 3-4 years. 16.5+/20 Feb 2012 RRP $25.95

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

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