Review: Wither Hills 2008 Benmorven Pinot Noir
- vinterest
- Apr 27, 2015
- 2 min read
The low-down: Without a doubt pinot noir is our grape of choice. Since we started this blog, all the pinots we have shared with you have happened to be from France. Both at the premium price point (the 2008 Gevrey Chambertin, the 2005 Maison Maume, and the 2003 Morey St Denis) and more afforable numbers including the 2011 Philippe Charlopin, the 2012 Moillard Haute Cote de Nuits and the Alfred Tritant Bouzy Rouge NV (love that name!) from champagne. This fact is surprising as we have enjoyed some great numbers from Australia and New Zealand over the years.
In that spirit today we open a lovely, seasoned pinot from Wairua Valley in the Marlborough region in New Zealand. Marlborough is New Zealand's largest winemaking region, with around 110 wineries and over 12,000 hectares planted in grapes. I didn't know it but the region produces about 80% of NZ's total wine output. Marlborough has two major geographical valleys, the Wairau and the Awatere. Vines were first planted in the Wairau Valley in 1973.
This wine is one of an increasing new world trend of single vineyard wines. The pinot noir grapes of this wine are exclusively grown in the 100% clay Benmorven Vineyard. There's a decent amount of oak ageing here (16 months with 15% new oak and 25% new oak) so we're expecting a pinot a little more potent than your soft, velvety Bourgogne,
We picked this wine up from Le Clos.
The take: A light, medium transparent, misty red appearance. A juicy, tomato, cherry nose with some chalky limestone. On the attack, smooth and creamy. Delicious! Sour Cherry Ripe with a peppery finish. No decant required. The wine is peaking. Balanced acidity, balanced tannins. Sweet but dry.
In closing: A delicious, balanced Cherry Ripe.
Rating: 9 out of 10.
Fact corner:
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Producer: Wither Hills
Vintage: 2008
Grape: Pinot Noir
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Serving temperature: n/a
Price range: Mid-range
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