WTN: Babich Pinot Noir 2004

Marlborough, New Zealand.

Light, rosy red in color.

Lovely initial nose of cherry, spices, red licorice, smoky and a hint of chocolate. The nose became quite muted with time.

Light to medium-bodied, quite tangy, very smoky, tart cherry, red licorice, spicy. With air exposure the wine revealed a rough-dirty note toward the end and a slight effervecent prickle that reminded me of bad homemade wine.

The first half of the bottle was much better than the last half.

Hi Bruce,

I have tried this wine and found the same thing. Nice on opening but not much the next day, faded. My brother Bob says that New Zealand does not quite have the hang of making a good Pinot yet and the finish and structure are somewhat lacking. I tend to agree. Nice drinkable pinots but often a bit short in the finish and ability to develop. They are improving, however.

Hi Bruce,

I have tried this wine and found the same thing. Nice on opening but not much the next day, faded. My brother Bob says that New Zealand does not quite have the hang of making a good Pinot yet and the finish and structure are somewhat lacking. I tend to agree. Nice drinkable pinots but often a bit short in the finish and ability to develop. They are improving, however.

Wth all due respect to Babich, I wouldn't use this wine as a benchmark for NZ Pinot Noir.

With all due respect to Babich, I wouldn't use this wine as a benchmark for NZ Pinot Noir.

Don't worry Sue: I will keep trying!!