Wild Rock Cupid's Arrow Pinot Noir 2007
Central Otago, New Zealand ($20)
Pinot Noir is a grape that I’ve had a hard time really warming up to. The hype, the fuss, the price…all of these make me wary of buying a bottle I haven’t already enjoyed. My affinity for searching for those “best buys” doesn’t lend itself well to the “heartbreak grape” either. I have found some success though in the Bio Bio Valley in Chile, Friuli in Italy and Burgenland in Austria though.
This Wild Rock Cupid’s Arrow Pinot Noir 2007 found its way into my glass primarily because it recently graced the cover of Wine Spectator. I know that’s amateurish, but I find New Zealand, specifically Central Otago, an exciting region. Just under $20 it still has the potential to be an overachiever for the price.
I opened this bottle and found the aroma to be the most interesting thing about this pinot. With loads of bright red fruit and forest undertones, it brought that earthy quality I look for. As it opened a bit, raspberries and sage began to come forward as the primary aromas. The mouth-feel was light and supple with fruity, bordering on juicy flavors. Though with such soft tannins, it lacked the lengthy finish I was looking for.
What stood out the most in this wine was what it lacked in minerality. With a delicate grape like pinot, I’d expect some minerality to keep things interesting, especially on the finish. Its earthy sage-like aromas were its strong point and I would definitely recommend it just because of that. Will I buy it for myself again? Probably not. My grade: 2.5/5
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