A good Pinot Noir from Matua with an interesting nose…
Name: Matua
Vintage: 2014
Producer: Matua Valley Wines
Region/Country: Marlborough, New Zealand
Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir
Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise
Recommended By: Selected from the wine list on the cruise ship.
Cost: $42 USD ($12.95 CAD at the LCBO)
Bottle Presentation: Clean, classy aqua-blue label.
Appearance: Pale ruby-garnet.
Nose: Medium, with raspberry, cedar (forest), and perfume notes.
Taste: Light body, low tannins, and medium-high acidity, with raspberry, blackberry, cedar and perfume notes. Some spicy notes emerged as the wine opened.
Finish: Long, sour, and green.
Overall Impression: A good Pinot Noir with fragrant, perfume notes in both the nose and mouth. We enjoyed this offering, especially the emerging spicy notes. It served as an excellent pre-dinner drink. It could also serve as an excellent pairing for a range of vegetable, chicken or pork dishes.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 87/100
Value: 1.5/5 for the USD on the boat, but 5/5 for the LCBO price!