Jackson Estate ‘Vintage Widow’ Pinot Noir 2006 (Marlborough, NZ)
Screwcap, $32

Very heavy bottle. To the point where its difficult to judge whether its full or empty. Actually, this wine is shod in very some rather attractive packaging, including a very nicely integrated capsule and screwcap (screwcap manufacturers have come a long way in the last few years). The promo pick from the website is suitably artful, but that heavy bottle is an ecological black mark.

Maroon red with very light edges in a slightly murky, serious style. On the nose this has immediate Pinoty appeal, with undergrowth, sap, lantana (is this just an Australian term?) roast beef and cranberry. Its an attractive, if slightly volatile nose with hidden delights. On the palate its tight, meaty and slightly astringent with firm red fruits and definitive savouriness, though its all a bit hard to pin down, even after a few hours in the glass its still a little hard and giving away very little. Oak tannins to finish are mildly intrusive.

All in all, it could well develop into something quite nice, though its very tightly packed at the moment and a little unwieldy. Not bad. 16.5+