13 Apr 2010 - Geoff Kelly

Guest Commentator at Pinot Conference selects Mt Difficulty at top of NZ Pinots

“Winegrower regards Geoff Kelly as one of the most perceptive and practical judges of Pinot Noir.  We invited him to select and comment on his top 10 from the recent Wellington (Pinot Conference)”

Geoff Kelly says:

“1. 2007 Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir Long Gully Single Vineyard, Central Otago, $90

This wine confirms that New Zealand can not only make great Pinot Noir, but totally Burgundian ones too.  It is not too dark, it achieves a perfect pitch of grape physiological maturity, illustrating the key Pinot Noir requirements of freshness, florailty and ripeness.  It tastes of red cherries as well as black, and the oak frames its beauty, without dominating the texture.  There are reminders of the grand cru Clos de la Roche here, rather than being obviously Central Otago wine.”

For additional Geoff Kelly reviews of Mt Difficulty’s wines, search his site inputting mt difficulty in the space for “name contains” at  www.geoffkellywinereviews.co.nz

View Mt Difficulty Long Gully Pinot Noir 2007