Surveyor Thomson Pinot Noir
I love Central Otago Pinot Noir and Surveyor Thomson Wines, dedicated to producing exceptional single vineyard pinot noir in Central Otago, has provided me with the opportunity to try 2 vintages of this special wine and the Explorer Pinot Noir as well.
“The first vines were planted in 2000 on 14 hectares of gently sloping glacial terraces above Lake Dunstan, with Mt Pisa in the background. The combination of the north-east facing terraces and the warmth of the lake has given us a unique terroir which enables us to produce a wine which is reflective of the strengths of Central Otago – structure and complexity.
Our aim each year is to bring out the best of the terroir in each vintage, and to allow the wine to express the nobility of the pinot noir grape.”
Surveyor Thomson Explorer Pinot Noir 2011
“This was produced to be more accessible young and the wine is more fruit focused, with lighter tannins” – I found it a nice bright mid to deep cherry colour in the glass – earth / leaf notes but not feral, fresh berries and oak in the nose, intense flavours of red berry-fruit bright acidity, subtle tannins and spicy oak with berry and herbal elements on the palate – still youthful and needs some time – lively but elegant! Alc/V 13.5% RRP NZ$29.00
The Single Vineyard wines are available in either Screw Cap or DIAM cork closures – both samples provided were under screwcap so it would be interesting to compare wines. Both decanted to give some air contact then re-bottled for serving… Tried both over 3 evenings with Glenys (who preferred the 2010.)
Surveyor Thomson SV Pinot Noir 2009
Deep cherry red with a tiny bit of brickiness evident, savoury oak & earth in the nose, and on the palate intense dark berry fruit and plum, very up-front tannins / acidity: a medium bodied wine but I felt it fell away a little at the back – all front and lacking a bit in the middle palate in the finish… BUT tried again on day two – been open for 24 hrs – much more approachable and fuller rounded on the palate… Day three YES! Vastly improved and opened up – wonderful finish… Gorgeous! Alc/V 13.5% RRP NZ$42.50
Surveyor Thomson SV Pinot Noir 2010
Bright cherry red / purple – lovely sweet fruitiness in the nose with some floral notes – sweet black fruit, currants and little savoury herbal characters on the palate rounded and structured, lovely warming finish – Day two as with the 2009 it opened up a lot and integrated a little more, intense fruit but much fuller in the mouth and day 3 just delicious. Robert Parker gave this 90 and I agree – both of us preferred this of the two Pinots – Glenys reckoned she could just keep drinking this all night but alas – ’tis all gone… Highly recommended… Alc/V RRP NZ$42.50
I have heard that for each day a bottle of good wine is open it ages a year – that may very well be true but I suggest you grab a bottle of these Pinot Noirs and try it for yourself…
To find out more about Surveyor Thomson Pinot visit their website or like them on Facebook.