Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago 2006

91WE no further case discount

From New Zealand

On the tart side, with a core of intense black cherry and white pepper flavors that linger on the firm, generous finish. Needs time to soften. Best from 2006 through 2010.

great depth; bacon fat is really coming home on the finish; Wow-dry tannins really ripping at the end here; nice long finish; great mouthfeel; very heavy; great dry dark cherry fruit; very passionate and focused; well made; good body presence; great mouthfeel. Very solid Pinot; WE-91; GV-90

Therersquo;s a bit of wood shavings and toast on the nose, but also plenty of ripe black cherries to balance out the new oak. Flavors turn redder mdash; more toward Maraschino cherry mdash; and a bit candied, but this is still a satisfying mouthful of New World Pinot.

The chilly, picturesque New Zealand region of Central Otago is the worldrsquo;s southernmost wine region, where Pinot Noir vineyards are quickly replacing flocks of Merino sheep on the hillsides. Cofounded by the former CEO of Levi Strauss, Amisfield has vineyard soils full of schist. The 2003 vintage got off to a late start due to a cool spring, but summer was warm, creating a lithe wine.

Medium red. Sappy, thoroughly ripe aromas of raspberry, strawberry, plum, cola and spices. Fat, broad and gentle but classically dry, with lovely inner-mouth perfume and sweetness of red berry and black cherry fruit. Offers a mineral tang and underlying structure that I donrsquo;t find often enough in New Zealand pinot. Finishes with sweet tannins and very good aromatic persistence. Rather Burgundian in style.