Best of the New World (6-pack)

MIXED HALF-CASE OF NEW WORLD PINOT NOIRS

This represents the very best of over 100 wines I have tasted over the last year. They're not Burgundy (see my tasting notes here), but they are very fine wines in their own right. The case contains 1 bottle each of the following wines, together with tasting notes and serving advice :

* Chamonix Reserve 2008 (South Africa)
Gottfried Mocke makes this fresh and well-balanced Pinot in the cool-climate area of Franschoek. Wine Spectator gave it 88 points and described it as "lively, with zesty blackberry and cherry notes that bounce along with a hint of bramble [... and] perky acidity throughout".

* John Forrest Collection Waitaki Valley 2006 (New Zealand)
The 2006 Forrest Collection is a super example of Pinot Noir from the relatively new area of Waitaki. The Waitaki Valley - 40km inland - in the North Otago region, has gentle north-facing slopes perfect for viticulture. It also possesses a unique combination of free-draining river gravels (as in Martinborough) and ancient seabed limestone (as in Burgundy). The result is a beautifully balanced and well-structured wine, which to my taste shows rather more refinement than most Central Otago wines.

* Escarpment Kupe 2005 (New Zealand)
Larry McKenna’s top wine, from a single vineyard ideally situated on alluvial gravels in Martinborough. A lovely wine, with just 500 cases made. Very full, yet cool - solid tannic structure, but good rich black fruit to cover it. Very classy. One to keep for a few years.

* Neudorf Moutere 2004 (New Zealand)
The Neudorf Moutere Pinot Noir is a New Zealand classic, and the 2004 vintage is beautifully fragrant and well-balanced. It is drinking well now, but will hold for another four years or so.

* Michelle Richardson 2006 (New Zealand)
Formerly in charge of Villa Maria, Michelle Richardson has won New Zealand Wine Maker of the Year three times - and this wine bears testament to the talents recognised by those awards. Her range includes Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, all from the regions she believes suits them best. This, the first time she has released a Pinot Noir, displays the region’s typical feral character, along with rich berry fruit and savoury notes. Despite the full on flavours, she has crafted a beautifully cool and refined wine, with great structure. This is a first rate Central Otago Pinot and highly recommended.

* Littorai Savoy 2004 (California)
The Littorai Savoy Vineyard is a superby balanced Pinot Noir, though a little more reserved than the Hirsch. The Littorai style is of medium weight, but full flavour with lots of extract and complexity. Ted Lemon, the owner/winemaker at Littorai previously worked in Burgundy at Dujac, Roumier and Bruno Clair. This has reflected both in his winemaking approaches and his deliberate use of coastal vineyards where the fruit achieves good phenolic ripeness and flavour at only moderate sugar levels. This is top class Pinot, and some of the best in the world, let alone in California - in fact a claret-drinking friend described it as the best wine he'd had this year.

Our list price for these wines is £ 161.55, and the special tasting case price, including mainland UK delivery, is just £ 149.99. Please contact us for costs to other destinations.

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