2007 Seresin Pinot Noir Leah Vineyard

http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/new_zealand/13239.html

Category: New Zealand
Size: 750 ml
Brand: Seresin Estate
Region: Marlborough
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Style: Red Wine
Food Pairing: Grilled duck breasts with blueberry-sage sauce
Price: $36.99
Reg: $45.99
ON SALE!

2010 June Wine Club Cellar Selection

When native Kiwi Michael Seresin isn't directing the camera work on Harry Potter films, he's at home in New Zealand tending to his other passion: overseeing his 45 hectare wine estate in Marlborough. Several biodynamically and organically farmed "micro" vineyards make up the terroir of the estate, but it's the Leah bottling that combines grapes from his clay-rich hillside Raupo Creek vineyard with his alluvial Tatou vineyard and Home vineyard to create a very serious and tightly-focused Pinot Noir. Critic for the Wine Advocate Neal Martin noted that this particular Pinot Noir is atypical for Marlborough as it seems to embrace a certain "broodiness" (think dark plum and cherry fruit and a little smokiness). Whether or not that dark smoky quality invokes crankiness to you or not, this is certainly a wine to uplift your mood, particularly when served alongside some equally smoky and fruit-smothered grilled duck or other poultry.

Winemaker's Notes:

The nose exhibits aromas of cherry, mocha, new leather and subtle toast with hints of spice. The palate is tightly focused and concentrated with succulent dark fruits layered over smoky oak, with fine mouth-coating tannins and a persistent finish.

Reviews

Neal Martin Wine Advocate 89 Points

The 2007 Leah Pinot Noir is atypical for Marlborough as it seems to embrace the broodiness of Martinborough. Dark plum and mulberry fruit, very good definition and purity. The palate is medium-bodied, very pure, lacking a little backbone and structure, although this is their entry-level Pinot Noir. In that sense, this does a very competent job, although there is a slight reduction on the finish.

Wine Spectator 88 Points

Crisp in texture, with real refinement to the currant and mineral flavors, lingering gently against a light burr of tannins. Drink now through 2013. 2,750 cases made. –HS

International Wine Cellar 91 Points

Good dark, bright red. Musky raspberry, minerals and chocolate on the nose. The juicy palate offers a pliant texture and lovely subtle sweetness to the complex flavors of fresh raspberry and underbrush. A firm edge of acidity contributes to this wine's definition and energy. Finishes structured and fresh. Both of these pinots were fermented with wild yeasts.

http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/new_zealand/13239.html

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