Grape Variety: Pinot Noir & Merlot blend

Growing Region: Marlborough & Gisborne, New Zealand

*Winemaking: Consultant Team

TASTING NOTE:
Well during this time of the year, with surprise parcels, trying new cuisine and wines with good friends and family. I thought this would be an appropriate wine - to tempt your taste buds - a mysterious blend of Marlborough Pinot Noir and Gisborne Merlot.

This wine is a wine-makers blend using 4 Pinot Noir vineyards in Marlborough, of which the Anderson Vineyard is the major source. Then to add another dimension, weight and power Gisborne Merlot has been blended in. All the fruit parcels were treated as separate wines until the final blending season. As a consultant team - we were looking for a wine with classic Pinot Noir notes, but with the texture, structure and mouth feel of Merlot. The cooler nature of the 2009 vintage gives this wine extra aromatic intensity and great structure that will ensure excellent cellaring potential.

In the glass you have a mid crimson colour. The nose has complex aromatics with blackcurrant and plum notes. Then the palate that exhibits a silky smooth character. Typical Pinot Noir on the front palate, cherries and red fruits backed up with bold sweetness from the Merlot on the back palate. The wine finishes with good length and a firm tannic grip.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well this summer; and over the next 2-3 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with most meats on the BBQ, ham off the bone and tapas, enjoy.

A great wine for 'new' red wine drinkers to cut their teeth on.