Wine, etc: What's so great about the 'World's Best Pinot Noir'?

Ask the average Joe walking down the street where Central Otago is located you and you will probably get a blank stare. Quizzing even knowledgeable wine aficionados could bring a smart aleck comment, like "I didn't know they grew grapes in Pago Pago." By the way, where is Pago Pago?

Until meeting Quinton Quider, director for Wild Earth wines, we had rather uninformed ideas of Trinidad, Tobago and Pago Pago. Central Otago is an inland region on the South Island of New Zealand. Unlike most of the other New Zealand maritime-influenced winemaking areas, this region features a high desert/alpine climate with warm summer days and cool nights, with the potential for dangerous frosts in the spring flowering season.

Wild Earth and Quinton Quider are interesting stories. Quinton, a graduate of San Diego State, is a former California sea urchin diver, Australian abalone diver, and commercial fisherman, who met his wife while dealing blackjack on a cruise ship. (She was a dancer in one of the shows). Currently he lives in Australia with his wife while commuting to supervise viticulture at Wild Earth's 100 acres of mostly pinot noir vineyards.

Wild Earth recently won "World's Best Pinot Noir" at The International Wine Challenge in London, which is amazing considering the vines are only 7 years old and this is only the third vintage for Wild Earth.

We recently met with Mr. Quider to taste the two pinot noirs that Wild Earth currently offers, including the one which won top international honors. The style of Wild Earth's pinot noirs seems to fall somewhere in the middle between the more subtle but complex burgundian style and the more fruit-driven, riper style of California.

Following are our impressions:
Blind Trail Pinot Noir Central Otago 2006 ($27). Named for the many disappointed prospectors who came to this area in the 1860s after the California gold rush had petered out, this pinot noir is made in an easy-to-drink-now style that exhibited a nice cherry fruit nose with a hint of oak and some cola notes. In the mouth you get cherry cola flavors with a hint of sassafras. Very nice and easy to drink.

Wild Earth Pinot Noir Central Otago 2006 ($36). This is the wine that won the "World's Best Pinot Noir" award recently. Cherry cola and a bit of earth in the nose with cherry cola flavors and a nice cinnamon spice that developed slowly in the glass. Medium bodied with nice balanced fruit and tannins that opened up in the glass over an hour. A very nice wine that marks this winery as one to watch.

Matua
Speaking of New Zealand, two Matua Valley reserve wines showed up on our radar screen recently and we want to share our tasting notes. Matua means "head of the family" in the native Maori language.

Matua Valley Reserve Chardonnay Gisborne 2005 ($13.50). This lovely wine yields a very nice lemon tangerine nose. In the mouth the taste is pear fruit balanced with crisp acidity. Medium bodied and easy to quaff.

Matua Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2007 ($13.50). Distinctive, bold grassy and herbal nose that is so typical of Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Bright, ripe gooseberry, and citrus flavors with perfect palate cleansing acidity.

Wine picks
Quivira Fig Tree Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ($18). Grapefruit and - could it be? - fig flavors. This is an excellent sauvignon blanc for those of you looking for some richness and depth in this grape variety.

Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ($22). This New Zealand wine is consistently good year to year. Intense aromas of gooseberries and herbs, crisp acidity and citrus flavors.

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2007 ($13). An amazing nose of grapefruit, lychee, and violets lets you know you are in for a treat. Citrus fruit flavors and perfect acidity make this mouth-watering wine a terrific package that would enhance most chicken and fish dished or hors d'oeuvres on a late summer evening.

Joseph Carr Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($20). This is an excellent value in the cabernet category. Soft tannins and ripe plum flavors make it an enjoyable drink without the need for cellaring. Black currants and dark cherries round out the flavors.

Nicholson Ranch Estate Pinot Noir 2006 ($38). We loved the balance in this excellent Sonoma Valley wine. Ripe cherry fruit with hints of cinnamon and clove, fruit forward flavors ranging from strawberries to raspberries. Excellent wine.

Girard Napa Valley Petite Sirah 2006 ($28). Those who like their petites drinkable will enjoy this concentrated petite sirah. Unlike many petite sirahs, it has a more lush texture instead of those brawny tannins. Raspbery and blueberry notes.

Ca'Bianca Gavi 2006 ($17). Made from cortese grapes grown in the Piedmont, this beauty has a floral nose with simple apple and vanilla flavors. Elegant and refine.

Astica Torrontes 2007 ($8). If you can find this white wine, buy it. At this price, you can't go wrong. From Argentina, torrontes is a very aromatic wine with citrus and grapefruit notes. The wine is simple and a good match to pork and chicken.

Find recommended wines:
Here are locations of wines featured in Wine Etc. The vintages listed in the wine column may not be the same at what is sold in stores. The list is subject to availability and prices listed in the column vary from store to store. Store owners can special order wines they do not carry.

Published September 10, 2008 
Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Merlot: Eastport Liquors
Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors; Fishpaws Marketplace
Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Fishpaws Marketplace
St. Francis Zinfandel Old Vines Sonoma County 2005: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Eastport Liquors; Fishpaws Marketplace
Girard Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2005: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Bettinelli Napa Valley Merlot 1999: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits

Published September 3, 2008 
Big House White 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors
Trivento Select Torrontes 2007: Harbour Spirits
Cat Amongst the Pigeons Grenache-Syrah 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors; Mills Wine & Spirits; Harbour Spirits
Don Miguel Gascon Malbec Mendoza Argentina 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Fishpaws Marketplace; Harbour Spirits
Red Rock California Merlot: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors; Harbour Spirits
R.H. Phillips Night Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits

Published August 27, 2008 
Boho Vineyards Chardonnay Central Coast 2006: Harbour Spirits, Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
J Vineyards Russian River Pinot Noir 2006: Eastport Liquors
Patz & Hall Dutton Ranch-Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2006: Eastport Liquors, Mills Wine & Spirits

Published August 20, 2008 
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits
Goldeneye Pinot Noir: Mills Wine & Spirits
Joseph Phelps Eisrebe: Eastport Liquors
Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits

Published August 5, 2008 
St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc 2006: Fishpaws Marketplace, Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits
Murphy-Goode The Fume 2007: Fishpaws Marketplace, Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Hess Sauvignon Blanc Lake County 2007: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits .
Kim Crawford Spitfire Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006: Fishpaws Marketplace, Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Fishpaws Marketplace; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits
Clos du Bois North Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Fishpaws Marketplace: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Girard Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits
Dry Creek Vineyard Sonoma County Fume Blanc 2006: Fishpaws Marketplace: Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits, Mills Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits
Sauvignon Blanc Republic Russian River Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Mills Wine & Spirits
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2005: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits

Published July 23, 2008 
Domaine des Fondreche L’Instant Rosé 2007: Fishpaws Market Place
Domaine Ste. Eugenie Rosé 2007: Fishpaws Market Place
Gournier Rosé 2007: Fishpaws Marketplace
Now and Zen Wasabi White Alsace 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Eroica Riesling 2007: Fishpaws Marketplace

Published July 16, 2008 
Franciscan Cuvee Sauvage Chardonnay 2006: Fishpaws Marketplace
Patz & Hall Napa Valley Chardonnay 2006: Eastport Liquors
Murphy-Goode Chardonnay 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Fishpaws Marketplace
Sbragia Private Reserve Chardonnay 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Beringer Single Vineyard Chardonnay Napa Valley Stanly Ranch Vineyard 2006: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits

Published July 9, 2008 
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2005: Fishpaws, Harbour Spirits, Eastport Liquors, and Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits
Penfolds Coonawarra Bin 128 Shiraz 2005: Fishpaws and Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits
MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris Sonoma Coast 2006: Fishpaws
Clos du Bois Merlot: Fishpaws, Harbour Spirits