Six Bottles of Pinot Noir

J hosted our last monthly tasting and poured the six wines below double blind. I managed to identify that it was Pinot, I was also sure that the first glass originated from Burgundy but that the rest of the wines were from New Zeeland, I didn´t guess.

2004 Corton Les Maréchaudes, Albert Bichot
A mature, seedy, warm nose with notes of lingonberry bushes, balsa wood, dried herbs, dried raspberries and hot gravel. Some grassy notes after a while, in line with the vintage I would say. But it still got some charm.
The taste is mature, tight and a bit foursquare with notes of red cherries, dried raspberries, violets and lots of gravel. A medium long, cool finish. This should have been drunk sooner but still manage to be of some interest. A fine food wine.
84p   (tasted 2014/02)

2010 Calvert Pinot Noir, Felton Road
The first Felton Road wine has a more open. fruity nose with notes of warm red cherries, liquorice, leather, rosehips and dark fudge. A lot more fruit in this one, but still in a laid back character, and a bit anonymous also.
The taste is cooler with ripe red fruit and notes of dried raspberries, raspberry liquorice, leather and warm spices. A good mouth feel. A medium long, fine finish. Very good. I wouldn´t keep this for long though.
87p   (tasted 2014/02)

2010 Cornish Point Pinot Noir, Felton Road
The Cornish Point has a similar character to the Calvert, with notes of hard cherry candy, liquorice, rosehips and a touch of chocolate. With air a touch of dog fur is noticeable. Very good.
The taste is young, cool and medium bodied with notes of dried raspberries, lingonberries, warm spices and a hint of coffee powder. A good acidity in the medium long finish. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2014/02)

2010 Block 3 Pinot Noir, Felton Road
A younger nose than the previous two glasses with fine notes of blueberries, raspberries, balsawood, bonfire and forest floor. Very fine. Evolves in the glass and become broader with air. This needs time but will become very fine in 4-6 years.

The taste is young, tight and elegant with notes of red cherries, raspberries, forest floor, fresh herbs and a touch of chocolate. Refined. Very, very good. Long and fine. 

90p   (tasted 2014/02)

2010 Block 5 Pinot Noir, Felton Road
A young, deep, intense nose with notes of cool raspberries, freshly washed clothes, iron, mushrooms, cinnamon and herbs. Deep and fine. A touch of bonfire. This is really good.

The taste is a cool, focused and refined with ripe red fruit in the shape of lingonberries, raspberries and wild strawberries. Very long and a bit seedy. Moist forest floor. A very fine acidity. Keep this for 3-5 years and it will turn out even greater.

92p   (tasted 2014/02)

2008 Block B Pinot Noir, Schubert
This beauty has an adorable sweet Pinot nose with notes of spicy raspberries, bonfire, asian spices, wild strawberries and a hint of chocolate truffles. Weightless as a graceful ballerina. A lovely sweetness to the fruit. Great stuff!

The taste is open for business with gorgeous raspberry fruit and notes of rhubarb licorice, bonfire, dried mushrooms, herbs and some worn leather. A long, balanced finish with a spicy touch. This has started to mature but there is no rush to finish any remaining bottles. Has a lovely mouthfeel.

94p   (tasted 2014/02)