2007 Amisfield RKV Reserve Pinot Noir

This is Amisfield's "Grand Cru" Pinot Noir.
Amisfield have described the 2007 growing season as one that viticulturalists would like to forget & winemakers (and consumers) would like more of. Warm spring conditions got the season underway nicely and early shoot development from the vines was very positive. Then the weather turned nasty. For the first time ever icebergs were seen floating off the Otago coast! It stayed bitterly cold till the last, when a break in the weather finally ripened a parcel of Pinot fruit culminating in one of the districts' smallest but finest vintages. Thirty percent of this wine is whole bunch fermented and the final blend is matured in French oak for 18 months. Superb depth with deep dark red black colour and very dark red hue. The nose provides a very perfumed aromatic profile of violets, ripe dark cherries and dark plums followed by some gamey cedar like notes, a hint of complexing stalkiness and spice. Rich and powerful the palate is akin to top flight Burgundy on steroids with mouthfilling flavours of black cherries and black plum followed by some toasty cedar, gamey stalkiness and spice. Supple silk like mouthfeel with velvety tannin structure. Long black cherry, dark plum, stalky cedar, game and spice aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years (2013-2018)
Alc 14.0% Other Reviews….
A late release from the outstanding 2007 vintage. Fermented with 30% whole-bunch and aged for 18 months in oak before lengthy bottle maturation. Dense, dark wine with intense dark berry and plum flavours intertwined with spicy oak. Power-packed wine with an incredibly long finish. This is a very serious Pinot Noir indeed that makes a strong point about the ageing potential for solidly structured wines deliberately made with longevity in mind. Will deliver great pleasure for at least another decade.
Rating: 98/100.
Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, October 2012