Kaiora Bay Central Otago Reserve Pinot Noir 2017-Wine of the Week

* This article is from the Archives and the Vintages at ALDI have changed

This delicious wine is made from NZ’s great Pinot Noir variety with the fruit being sourced from  3 different sub regions including Gibbston Valley,  Cromwell Basin and  Alexandria.In Central Otago, pinot noir accounts for 70 per cent of vine plantings, albeit on a smaller scale than Marlborough. The region makes a comparatively robust pinot style, with savoury and dark-fruit varietal flavours and quite strong tannins. Aldi’s own label provides a sound introduction to the style at a fair price.

Central Otago NZ is a wonderful Pinot region, and so, rightly, their less expensive  offerings are still very “buveable” (drinkable) and pleasant tasting. The wine is a medium light red. This wine has a generous palate and is a nice warm-weather red  fthat matches well with Duck,..Poultry or even salmon or a good curry,.. Considering that many of the wines from this region sell around the $40.00 mark this ALDI wine offers excellent value for money.

The wine is nicely structured,..a bit seductive  and engaging enough, ….and not  too big in style like many NZ or Aussie Pinots,.. I have always preferred the light to medium weight wines that approximate the French Burgundian style.

“Pinot,..after all,  is “the wine of French Kings designed to wash down the Duck or Pheasant,..and should not be too heavy in its structure!”

In Central Otago, pinot noir accounts for 70 per cent of vine plantings, albeit on a smaller scale than Marlborough. The region makes a comparatively robust pinot style, with savoury and dark-fruit varietal flavours and quite strong tannins. Aldi’s own label provides a sound introduction to the style at a fair price.

“The  wine shows lifted aromas of red/black cherry, hints of  spice, dark cherries and maybe redcurrants,..  and warm spice characters with subtle complexity. The palate exhibits succulent fruit intensity, wonderfully complemented by savoury nuances and polished tannins, finishing fresh and silky.”

We think its a a bargain at $14.99 and is the equal of many Pinots in the mid to high Twenties,many of which are “overengineered” and too big instructure in any case !

This wine has won a Swag of Medals as follows: