2005 Carrick Pinot Noir

While Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand’s volume power house, enthralling wine drinkers with its freshness and vibrant aromatics, it is Pinot Noir that has almost eclipsed the great wines of Burgundy, in particular Pinot from Martinborough and Central Otago. We’re sure that many traditional Burgundy lovers will take exception to that comment but when you taste the Carrick Pinot Noir you’ll be amazed by its power and strength. Carrick is not a household name, but to the Pinotphiles it remains one of the benchmarks. The vineyards are located on the Cairnmuir Terraces which lie on a promontory bounded by Lake Dunstan to the North and West and the Bannockburn Inlet to the South. The vineyard soils are composed of gravel and sand, interspersed with silica. The first plantings were made in 1994, and consisted of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. In 1998, Pinot plantings were expanded with new Dijon clones, including Pommard (UCD5), 10/5, 13, 113, 114, 115 and 777. The importance of a wide number of clones can not be overstated as they form the basic structure of great Pinot Noir. Winemaker Steve Davies (regarded as New Zealand’s top Pinot Winemaker) first began making Pinot in California and Oregon, and more recently in Central Otago. The 2005 Carrick Pinot Noir is a sensory sensation. The wine stocks are on the water and are expected to arrive late October.

Wooow! If there was any doubt about the supreme quality of Pinot Noir from Central Otago then this wine puts them to rest!

Very deep crimson colour with deep crimson hue, showing excellent colour and saturation. The nose is one of those vinous sniffing pleasures – superb lifted notes of black cherry and spice followed by ripe strawberry, anise and violets. The palate delivers that wonderful Pinot explosion, whereby every corner of the palate is filled and continues to grow in a power wave of flavour. Strawberry, spice, anise and black cherry flavours power through the palate, perfectly matched to fine tannins and delivering an exceptionally long aftertaste. This wine hits a global Pinot high point.
Cellar 4-5 years (2011-2012)
Alc/Vol: 13.5%