Odyssey Wines 2010 Pinot Noirs

15-May-2012

Odyssey Wines is named after Homer the great Greek poet's tale of Odysseus' journey home, and no doubt reminds owner Rebecca Salmond of her travels from wine study to making wine over the world before settling back in New Zealand to make her own wines. Recognised early as a talented young winemaker, Rebecca struck out with her first Odyssey wines in 1994. The wines are limited production, premium, single vineyard expressions, from her own 10 ha vineyard in the Brancott Valley in Marlborough and from Gisborne fruit sourced from a long-term grower in the Hexton district. Here I review two 2010 vintage Pinot Noir wines, the premium ‘Odyssey' and the ‘Homer' incorporating younger vine material and that not used in the top label. www.odysseywines.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Homer Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 14-May-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Light ruby-red colour with some depth, light on rim. This has a fresh nose of strawberries and red cherries with nuances of fresh herbs and hints of spicy oak. Medium-bodied, soft red cherry and berry flavours and some herb notes are presented harmoniously on the palate with moderate, rounded tannin extraction providing a gentle drying texture. The acidity is low and this contributes to a well-integrated mouthfeel. The wine has a light finish with subtle flavours of red fruits. This is a soft, gentle, fruit-expressive and balanced Pinot Noir to serve with antipasto and poultry over the next 3+ years. Predominantly clone 5 with 777, Abel, 115, 667 and 10/5 fruit from the ‘Odyssey' vineyard in the Brancott Valley, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in French barriques. 16.0+/20 May 2012 RRP $19.95
Odyssey Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 14-May-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Made from clones 777, Abel, 5, 115, 667 and 10/5 from vines 6-9 years old from the ‘Odyssey' vineyard in the Brancott Valley. The fruit was hand-picked, given a cold soak and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 18 months in 30% new French oak barriques. Moderately deep, dark ruby-red in colour, this is youthful in appearance. The bouquet is elegant, but has good intensity of dark red berry fruits with underlying notes of herbs and minerals, the oaking in good balance. Medium full-bodied, tightly bound flavours of dark berry fruits and oak spices form a concentrated palate. The fruit is supported by fresh, balanced acidity, and fine, firm tannins providing good drive and line, which carries through to a long finish featuring ripe fruit and oak. This is an elegant, slender, but concentrated Pinot Noir that will develop and unfold over the next 4-5+ years. Match with duck and pork dishes. 17.5/20 May 2012 RRP $29.95

Odyssey Wines 2010 Pinot Noirs

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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