Pencarrow Pinot Noir 2011

The talented wine scribe Raymond Chan recently tasted a bottle of our 2011 Pencarrow Pinot Noir. This is what he had to say:

The Pencarrow Pinot Noir has upstaged its more prestigious sibling over the last few years. Its success on the wine show circuit has no doubt been a result of the wine’s bold fruity style and reasonable accessibility, the latter attribute a result of less intensive tannin management and the selection of barrels that have the balance for earlier drinking than the ‘Estate’ wine. Winning gold medals and trophies has astounded some critics, but this second label’s consistent performance cannot be denied. Either the criteria for wine show competitions must be changed, or all of the judges sacked!

Teasing aside, the other reasons for the Pencarrow Pinot Noir accomplishments are increasing fruit quality from improving viticulture and the greater availability of high grade fruit. Consumers are not going to question the quality and value pricing, which should be celebrated.

Pencarrow Martinborough Pinot Noir 2011
Clones 114, 115, 667, 777, Abel and 10/5, all Martinborough, predominantly from company vineyards, the fruit given a cold soak and mostly indigenous yeast fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine spending 17 days on skins and aged 10 months in French oak. Dark, deep, black-hued red colour, lighter on rim. This has a tightly bound, but intense and penetrating nose of ripe black fruits with dark herb and spice notes as well as violet-like florals. Medium-full bodied, the flavours promise to unfold and reveal more with time. There are flavours of black fruits and florals, concentrated and densely packed, and supported by fine-grained, but firm tannins. The oaking is sensitive and the youthful acidity carries the flavours on a long, lingering finish featuring spicy black fruits and hints of liquorice. This is a tightly concentrated, brooding and firmly textured Pinot Noir that needs another year to become accessible. It will then develop for another 4-5+ years. Serve with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean styled red meat dishes

Author: Carla

Peter Saunders review of 2011 Pinot gris

Peter Saunders described our 2011 Pinot gris as follows in the March 2012 edition of MG Business:

 “Moderate alcohol level of 12.5%, light spicey with the legendary pear tones seeping through. Young, still fresh, a delicious example of understated pinot gris which offers subtlety as well as spine and seriousness. Just off dry.”

Author: Pip

Someone else likes our wine

Joelle Thomson had this to say about two of our wines in the Dompost Weekend 12/02/11:

2009 Pencarrow Martinborough Pinot Noir $21
This is top value. Soft, supple, light in style but very refreshing… you could lightly chill this pinot noir on a steamy day and enjoy its soft structure and gorgeous cherry flavours with good brie on the side. Do yourself and this pinot noir a favour and decant it first.

2010 Pencarrow Chardonnay $15
Talk about great value for money and deliciously good chardonnay from one of New Zealand’s most consistent top shelf wineries; Palliser Estate in Martinborough. This affordable everyday drop offers freshness and depth of flavour, which is an impressive achievement for $15.

Author: Carla

Palliser Pinot can you feel the love….?

A devoted charity, a lovingly created label and a premium wine.

 ‘Shine’ (safer homes in NZ everyday) www.2shine.org.nz is a charity devoted to the care of children and women who are victims of domestic violence. Supporter of the charity, Roger Wall commissioned one of New Zealand’s most famous contemporary artists – Ralph Hotere, to create the label and then donated 20 bottles of Arohanui: “Big Love” to “Shine” charity.   Arohanui is a Palliser Estate Pinot Noir 2008.

Wellington Regional Wines – Basin Reserve

Palliser Estate Pinot Noir 2008

Looking exceptional well was the Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2008 (19.0-/20), dark ruby red, full, rich, lush and fleshy, the dark savoury berry characters showing interest and complexity.  The acid freshness was a feature.  Excellent, soft extract.  4-6+ years easily.

Author: Narida

1997 vintage Pinot Noir tasting from an enthusiast

We were delighted to receive this email from a wine enthusiast in Lower Hutt:

Hi, I just had to let you know that last night we had a big family gathering celebrating the return of my sister from overseas. I decided to crack open the magnum of 1997 Palliser Estate Pinot. I did have some backup options as I was doubtful that the 1997 would still be drinkable.

The cork was well preserved, no seepage and the wine was sensational. Plenty of fruits at the front of the palate, lots of complexity in the middle and lingering on the finish. not a drop was wasted and the wine was the centre piece of the party.

Thanks for such a great drop

Regards

Glad you liked it, and thanks for sharing.

Author: Carla