Matahiwi Estate Pinot Noir Vintage: 2004 Purchased: Aug 4th 2007 Price: $17.99 Purchase Location: Central Market Categories: New Zealand - Pinot Noir - Red

Tasting Notes:

I made a wild mushroom soup, so I needed a wine with mushroomy flavors. I thought this one fit the bill. The color is the classic transparent pinot color. The nose is bright cherry juice, with a hint of mushroomy forest floor. In the mouth it's silky smooth with raspberry and cherry flavors. On day two, it had opened up and became much more complex. The earthiness was boosted and better integrated with the fruit.


Also Tasted On:
Aug 9th 2007


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Matahiwi Estate Pinot Noir Vintage: 2004 Purchased: Aug 4th 2007 Price: $17.99 Purchase Location: Central Market Categories: New Zealand - Pinot Noir - Red

Tasting Notes:

I tasted this before at a previous wine tasting at Maple Leaf Wine Cellars. I enjoyed it so much I emailed Tim Shannon to find out where to get it. After much effort, I managed to procure a couple of bottles. The first one was opened to eat with a light Sunday dinner of cured meats, goat cheese, salad greens, and roasted beets.

This is a fairly light colored red wine. A bright transparent purple int the center and almost pink on the edges. The nose is full of black cherries and a rich earthiness. You also smell a hint of hay and cedar. Very complex and enjoyable. On the palate is very soft and rich with raspberry and cherry flavors. There is plenty of acidity to balance the fruit and the finish is long and very smoky.

I doubt you will find a much better pinot noir at thie price point.


Also Tasted On:
Sep 22nd 2008


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Chateau Buisson-Redon Vintage: 2004 Purchased: Dec 9th 2006 Price: $11.99 Purchase Location: Central Market Categories: Bordeaux - Cabernet Sauvignon - France - Merlot - Red

Tasting Notes:

I always thought of Bordeaux as something that was very expensive. This led me to believe that the cheap wines labeled as such were not worth buying. However, when Kathrine saw this bottle at Central Market I was intrigued. The handwritten notes seemed to make it seem like a great deal, so I bought a bottle. This wine proves that producers in Bordeaux can compete with new world red wines even on QPR.

This wine comes from a 101-acre vineyard in the Fronsac district. It is composed of 60 percent cabernet sauvignon and 40 percent merlot. The wine is a very bright and deep hued red. There is fruit to this wine, it has the tastes and aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries; but the fruit is subtle. The tanins are not harsh at all, and it has a pleasent mineral taste to it. It's different than the new world cabernet/merlot blends I've tried, which seem to be both fruitier and more tanic. I'm hesitant to say it's better, just different. This wine is ready to drink right now, and at the price I paid an outstanding value.

We enjoyed it with short ribs braised in red wine and veal stock. It complimented the meal perfectly.


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