Spy Valley - Pinot Noir (2007) - 15/20

Pinot Noir is a damned difficult grape for vintners to manage, to produce and also for drinkers to chase down and get it opened at the right time so that it is performing well in your glass.

100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol : 13.5%
My Rating : 15/20 - three stars

Spy Valley have a reputation for managing to do it right - but the latest tasting of their highly rated 2007 Pinot Noir has left me a bit ... Meh!

It's light, bright, cherry flavours, with a little bit of strawberry, and it's quite quaffable but at a price of NZD$30 it's not really delivering enough taste. The nose is promising, richly scented, displaying dark plum, spice and savoury mushroom characters and a bit of farmyard funk. It's just the palate is a bit lightweight really.

There is nothing wrong with it - but this is not really a satisfying glass and does not seem to be aging well to me which does seem to be a perennial problem with this light style of pinot.

This wine was definately delivering more when it was first released - and with Spy Valley readily available in New Zealand at supermarkets and bottle storres it's probably best to stick to the latest vintages and drink within 12 months.
(or you can buy direct from the Spy Valley Website)

If you have any Spy Valley - Pinot Noir 2007 left in your cellar - it would be best to consume it soon.