Mount Riley Pinot Noir 2008 (Marlborough/Nelson, NZ)
$20, Screwcap, 13.5%

Just a quick note on this one as it was tasted rather quickly, in passing almost, so no time for a hard core, wine wankerish deconstruction, though I don’t think this wine really needs one…

Bright & very light raspberry cordial in colour, it smells lightly sappy with dollops of raspberry tart and cream in a simple and fresh mould. Very youthful, juicy & particularly light, feeling freshly bottled. The palate is sweetly sappy, all juicy fruit and acid, the finish tapering off pretty quickly and lightly. It feels very easy and friendly, if way too young for consumption at this stage, with some pinosity still noticeable in amongst all that fruit. It does, however, also feel particularly pinot cordialish, with structure a distant after thought.

Best drunk in about 6 months time and for the next 2 years, this is a light and friendly Pinot that if you could find for close to $16 you would be on to a simple, recognisable as Pinot, light red of easy appeal. The score here discounts the drinkability, which is very high indeed. 16+