Wither Hills Wairau Valley Pinot Noir 2008 - New Zealand, Marlborough; 14% abv; c.20€; label
Reports from mouths I trust have said that this is a good wine and a great value even in our overpriced monopoly. These palates tend to be quite sensitive to oak and spoof, so I dare to buy on their recommendations. But every so often, apparently, we do not agree.
To some extent I can understand why they felt I might like this: it does have some vegetal character and sexy Pinosity. And this is all good. In fact, I really don't want anything more from Pinot than that. This, sadly, has a great deal more to it: bitter *** aromas. And the harsh quercus aromas continue on the palate. But as far as I can tell from beneath the ***, this does have nice acidity and some genuine Pinosity. Sadly, however, the quercus ultimately obliterates everything else. (I can never decide whether to use asterisks or Latin to shield sensitive eyes from naughty words).
It is strange how even after many years of palate calibration I can still disagree with several trusted sources...
