Giesen, Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Pale red with reflections of ruby. Light but not delicate, this is at a very appealing point, with its red cherry and strawberry flavors taking on a touch of appealing dried fruit character, which provides some contrast for its still reductive matchstick notes. There's not a lot of structure to speak of - I am not sure if there ever was - but this drinks easy and would be a pleasant find on a Thanksgiving table.

See prior tasting note

Was excellent. Fruit but nice secondary characteristics. Still has a good few years in it.

Drunk with Amy at 67. Impressive body and structure while retaining a delicate palette of flavours. Red fruit, some of that candied sweetness that I always associate with pinot, and then a mineral earthiness. One of the best NZ pinots I have drunk

Sweet cherry but with structure and fine tannins giving some complexity. QPR outstanding- in a Glengarry’s tasting it was the pick with some Burgundies 5 times the price not as good. Host’s view was this is a Grand Cru quality vineyard. Beautiful drinking now but I recently tried the 2004 from the same vineyard (but with Fromm as the winemaker) and it had the same cherry flavour note (really showing terroir over winemaking) with a little more tertiary flavours so …

Terroir of NZ Pinot Noir (Newmarket, Auckland) : Lovely nose, red/dark cherries, with red/violet florals, and moderate spices. Full but gentle flavours, fine grained tannins, bright acidity, well integrated with liquorice and cedar. dry and fleshy in finish, bring the balance back under the fruit and acidity dominating flavours. A good PN showing wonderful density and length, which come from clay soil. BC 96, WS 90, JS 97 Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 5+3/10 Total 93/100