DRINKING BUDDIES

Monday, January 31, 2011

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2006

I'm excited that I get to rant and rave over a $40 wine that's actually worth drinking.  Unfortunately, my last review on wine pertaining the Silverado was not exactly positive to say the least but I was quite disappointed with the quality of such a wine with such high expectations.  This one I actually have the honor of saying I was proud to have it in my collection and more proud to claim that it is now aloft in my bloodstream.

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2006

A Marlborough appellation of New Zealand, this is the archetype of a New Zealand red wine.  More famous for their over-abundance of Sauvignon blanc throughout the regions, New Zealand can actually release a few rare gems such as this one from time to time.  A fellow wine lover and I used to joke about how, "It's a shame they can only grow two grapes and one happens to be lackluster,"  but I chose to swallow my words as I proclaim that this Pinot Noir has met and exceeded my expectations, far beyond that of a Russian River Pinot.

The only wine I could remotely relate it to as far as body and overall quality would probably be Bearboat Syrah, but this wine is really definitive of the Zealandian soil.  (A friend used this term a while back and I'm obsessed with it lately.)

The nose is very difficult to describe in that it does have the usual Zealandian burst of roses and magnolia, but it does retain a heavy scent of raw chemical as in Ethyl Alcohol.  Surprised by this retentivity,  I actually had to let it breathe for about 12-15 minutes before the nose was consistent and pleasant.  The reason that it shocked me so much is that it is sealed with a screw cup as opposed to natural or synthetic cork.  But this little pre-shaped metal cap actually did a decent job of what it's intended to do.

The initial taste was only faintly acidic and more on the savory end of the produce spectrum. Although most will claim which berries and citrus their wine tastes most like, I would go on a limb to say this was more like a light and lofty melange of tomatoes, mint, and black currant.  This interesting little pairing went so well with a simple dish of turkey meatballs and tomato sauce that my wife had prepared.  As the wine lasted through dinner into dessert, I made a simply dessert out of merely a glass of wine, and a 70% dark cocoa chocolate bar.  Sinfully delicious with just enough creaminess to combat the gentle acidity of the wine.

A delicacy and a half, and well worth the price at every single cent.
Next time I'll have a good beer review for you all who have been waiting so patiently for it, and trust me it will be more than well worth the wait.  In the mean time, I'm going to experiment more with wine cork art (unfortunately not with this one) and sip on my Maker's Mark Mint Julep while listening to Buckcherry's Ridin'.

Good Times....

Bon Boire!

13 comments:

  1. sounds like an amazing wine, and you can't beat that price!

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  2. I'm from Kentucky and I'm of the firm opinion that mint juleps are a waste of good bourbon...

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  3. I'm always looking for a good wine recommendation this certainly appears to be one worth checking. On your word I shall try it out!

    ~Raging Royal

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  4. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... I love a good wine. Not a favorist of Pinot noir, however. A bit heavy.

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  5. Think I'm gonna pick up a bottle of this before the huge snow storm.

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  6. sounds delicious, I'm feeling inclined to pick up a bottle on payday

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  7. I like your idea of dessert. Look forward to reading about beer you are drinking that probably isn't available near me. :(

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