Mud House 2018 Central Otago, 2017 ‘The Narrows’ and 2016 ‘Claim 431’ Pinot Noirs

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim, with slight purple hues. The nose is somewhat shy in expression, but shows good vinous presence and depth, revealing dark-red and black cherry and berry fruits with subtle notes of dark and fresh herbs, unfolding nuances of liquorice and spice, with violet floral suggestions. Medium-bodied, the palate is restrained in flavour, but the mouthfeel has good vinosity and weight. The flavours of dark-red and black cherries and berries form a fine core, and unfold to reveal subtle notes of dark herbs, spice nuances and violet florals. The fruit grows in sweetness and richness, as the wine flows along a light, supple line with lacy acidity providing liveliness and vitality. The wine carries with good linearity to a lingering finish of berry fruits, spices and herbs. This is a restrained Pinot Noir that blossoms in richness to show dark-red and black fruits with nuances of herbs, spices and liquorice on a supple palate. Match with antipasto and tapas over the next 3 years. Fruit from the ‘Claim 431’ vineyard, Bendigo, destemmed and fermented with a portion of whole berries, partially by indigenous yeasts to 13.0% alc., the wine aged in new and seasoned French oak barriques and in tank. 17.0/20 Dec 2018 RRP $24.99
• Mud House ‘Sub Region Series’ ‘The Narrows’ Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, dark ruby-red colour with light purple hues, paler edged. The nose is firm and taut with dark-red and black cherry fruit along with dark herbs, overlaid by minerally reduction. The fruit is subdued and the reductive elements up-front and dominating. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm core of bitter dark-red cherry fruit melded with dark herbs and some oak toast. The sulphide reduction is prominent and lends a firmness and mineral edge to the palate. This has firm, fine-grained tannin grip with integrated acidity. The flavours carry along a a tight line leading to a finish of bitter cherry fruit and minerals. This is a firm Pinot Noir with bitter cherry and herb-nuanced fruit marked by sulphide reductive notes. Serve with grilled and barbecued red meats over the next 3+ years. Fruit from the narrowing of the Upper Wairau Valley, destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.0% alc., a portion of the wine aged several months in new French oak. 2,400 cases made. 16.0-/20 Dec 2018 RRP $19.99
• Mud House ‘Single Vineyard’ ‘Claim 431’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark ruby-red colour with some depth, lighter on the edge with slight purple tints. This has an elegantly presented nose with fragrant aromas of dark-red and black cherry and berry fruit entwined with thyme herbs, notes of liquorice and spices and violet florals. The aromatics are harmoniously integrated with fragrant beauty and detail. Medium-bodied, the palate has sweet and luscious flavours of ripe dark-red and black berried fruits interwoven with plum elements, herbs and spices, some liquorice suggestions, unfolding violet florals. The fruit sweetness is supported by supple, fine-grained tannin extraction with soft acidity, lending softness to the mouthfeel. The wine carries to a sustained finish with lifted red floral notes. This is a softly sweet and luscious, harmonious Pinot Noir with cherry and berry fruit along with herb, spice, liquorice and floral notes on a very fine-textured, supple palate. This has beauty and detail. Serve with poultry and pork over the next 5+ years. Fruit from the ‘Claim 431’ vineyard, Bendigo, hand-picked and destemmed, and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 20% new French oak. 2,200 dozen made. 18.5/20 Dec 2018 RRP $32.99