Mount Edward 2003 Pinot Noir

After the justified hype about the consistently good Central Otago 2002s, many have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of some of the wines from the less heralded 2003 vintage. The Mount Edward shows more serious structure and is already being rated as superior to the very likable and highly regarded 2002. The wine will require a little more time to come together in the bottle but should be drinking well by mid 2006. It was a somewhat patchy growing season by our standards and the resulting yields were light, but we worked harder than usual in the vineyard and the extra effort gave us nicely balanced fruit with slightly higher acids than in recent years.

“Bright crimson, some mealiness on the nose, and white pepper too.  Lots of personality.  Full and appealing.  Very bright fruit.  Lots of acid and tannin.  So vibrant it explodes in the mouth.  Drink 2007 –12.’

Jancis Robinson website,  March 30, 2002

“Complex, spicy nose, leading into a powerful palate with ripe fruit characters and real depth and structure. Among the stand out 2003 Pinot Noirs” Michael Cooper Cuisine November 2004.

“Tight, grainy, dense and powerful, with wonderful dark berry fruit.  This is a real step up, or rather change of pace, on the 2002.  Sensational – a must buy, if you have the patience to allow this to mature – which is five years from now.”