New Zealand Pinot Noir Tasting

New Zealand Pinot Noir Tasting – Episode #164

January 11, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

New Zealand Pinot Noir’s are hot, sit back and watch Gary tell you what all the fuss is about.

123 Responses

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October 19, 2009

John J.
qotd cant remember last 1 i had, been a long time. too long.

Gary, how about tackling a vin jaune episode?
June 18, 2009

David
I’m lucky enough to live in Otago so i have excellent access to Central Otago Pinot Noirs.

One of the best i have had is Three Miners Pinot Noir. Other stand outs are Felton Road, Chard Farm, Gibbston Valley and Peregrine.

They key thing about central Otago Pinot Noir is value for money. Buying blind, it would beat any similarly priced Pinot Noir for quality. Also there is almost no such thing as a bad Central Otago Pinot noir, the saying goes that the worst Central Otago Pinot is infinately better than the worst Burgundy.
May 1, 2009

Matt
Okay, I know I’m a little late to the party, but I’m just working my way through the WLTV re-runs. You really called it on the NZ Pinot Noir boom, didn’t you? I tried a great PN from Judge Rock recently, all mushroomy and earthy and herby and… really good wine.
March 27, 2008

Stevo Vino
QOTD: I am spoiled to be a Kiwi, thus partaking in my fair share of Pinot from my homeland. My absolute favourite is Fallen Angel from Central Otago. It is made by Stony Ridge (Waiheke Island) who make the famous Larose bordeaux blend. It is a HUGE wine that brings thunder in bucket loads. 95+ pts. If you can find it, but it. You won’t be disappointed. I think it retails for about $60-70 in NZ.

Central Otago Pinot rocks!! Great show GV!!
November 6, 2007

Alos
Great episode I have not actually and I think I will give it a try this weekend! Cheers
January 23, 2007

Mark G
Spent several weeks going around the south island a few months ago. The pinots varied from raspberry cordial to true Burgundian pinots. Very variable, both in quality and price. The best were Chard farm and Felton Road but there were many other great up and coming. Also other varieties to watch are Pinot gris/grigio
January 19, 2007

Jan Wicher
we get many NZ wine here in OZ and they are some of the best value wines. Pinot and Sav Blanc are great form over their. Also try some Tassmain Pionts like Stefano Lubiana Wines or Tamar Ridge Wines, they are pushing the point to some new heights.
January 14, 2007

Mark
Great episode! Have tried Stoneleigh Pinot Noir before. $15 – $20 price range. Good value.
January 12, 2007

Bobby
Gary,
I had a Mountford Pinot from New zealand a few years ago in a San Fran. restaurant called Bacar it was very good. Wish I could find it again! Ever heard of it?
January 12, 2007

Jorge
Hi Gary,

Been watching for a while, I have a question? is it good to decant pinot noir?
It would be nice to know when you should or you shouldn’t decant a wine and for how long.
And I dont mean by the age of the wine, but the varietal of the grape.

Are there any references out there?
January 12, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Have had Pinots, Sauvignon Blancs and Merlots from NZ. The merlots are really good if you haven’t tried them. Pinots so far haven’t been great for me but the SB’s wow. The merlots were also a pleasant surprise.
January 12, 2007

esteban
We drove around the North Island of New Zealand and decided to head east due to the dry looking weather on that side and the wet drizzle in the center around lake Taupo (big trout, though). Found a hotel we liked in Napier and then realized we were in the Hawkes Bay Wine area. The next day we tasted several and liked Trinity Hills Pinot Noir. They seemed very hopeful for Pinot future, spoke in botanical terms: Clone 5(an old french) and Clone 667 (newer french, earlier ripening) among others. The winemaker was there, a John Hancock, whose signature appears on the label (label fans! I soaked and kept the label). Anyway, the Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir 2004 was real smooth and fruity in spite of being very young.
Their latitude is alot like Sonoma, i.e. 38, and I think they got the grapes from as far south as possible, like 39S. The south island we did not see, which would be the latitude 40-50, like Burgundy. On this trip I learned to love white wine for the first time (Marlbourough SauvB). That nose to my uneducated senses seemed very perfumy and unique. We also liked the Napier area blended red wines in which they were smoothing out the stalky notes of Cabernet of their area with Merlot. Don’t hold me to all this as this is just from memory. Recommend NZ to all!
January 12, 2007

Eric
QOD: The only New Zealand Pinot Noir I’ve ever had was the Matua Valley 2003 from Marlborough. I believe it was also my first Pinot Noir ever.
January 12, 2007

Tim Tamblin
Never thought to try a NZ Pinot however, have had the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and could have just as easily gone out to my front lawn, rolled in the grass and had just as close of an experience that would have lasted considerably longer. I think the Grass Monster cannot be underestimated and should be taken just as seriously as his cousin, you know who…
January 12, 2007

Ken
We went to the south island of new zealand on our honeymoon a few years back and were completely blown away by the pinot noirs, especially the ones we had at a small winery in Queenstown called Chard Farm (in particular their Finla Mor). They’re reasonably priced wines ($20-25), but, unfortunately, I don’t believe they’re distributed to the US & they charge a fortune to ship (almost $200 per case) – but, I’m sure you can find a way to try them out!

Keep up the good work!

Ken
San Francisco, CA
January 12, 2007

Sherri
Gary,
I have a feeling your wife is going to be giving you a lesson on doing a “bundle” of laundry when you get back from LA after seeing this! Just remember to keep the reds out of the load with the whites and you’ll be fine (otherwise you get pink socks).

QOD: Never had NZ PN but will look for it to give it a try…

GO PATS (sorry)
January 12, 2007

yowens44
Bundle of laundry? Come on now. Planning my wine trip to New Zealand!!!
January 12, 2007

Louisiana George
Do tell – what original Nintendo cartridges did you have on display for us?

Louisiana George
January 12, 2007

Luigi
I like your add in Wine Spectator! That is a great idea! By the way, NZ is not better than the awsome oregon PN’s. Oregon rules!
January 12, 2007

Eyeguy
Never done the laundry?????

Wow, am I jealous!
January 12, 2007

Kathy Hughes
Denise, Thanks for the link, it prompted me to vote and I did; nice going. Naples Kathy
January 12, 2007

jon777
Nice ep… Thanks, Gary!

QOTD: Don’t believe I’ve tried a NZ PN — but will seek one out soon!
January 12, 2007

Deano
Gary nice show!!! I voted for you for the wine awards so I hope you seal the win I need to seek the last two wines out for sure. I am a fan of pinot mostly. However QOTD: I have never had one from new zealand I will take your advice and hop on the new zealand pinot bandwagon thanks.
January 12, 2007

Gil Few
I bought a Pinot Noir (New Zealand) limited edition wine kit (2004). I bottled it in 2005. Young it shows great promise. I was skeptical buying it because I had always drunk Ore or Cal Noirs. It was highly touted at the time so I took the plunge. I think it shows promise of being an incredible Pinot.
January 12, 2007

michael J Vino
#99. Like Mark Gastineau himself. “She likes pinot…perfect.”