10/02/2008 – Wild Rock, Cupids Arrow Pinot Noir 2006

Wild Rock (New Zealand) Cupids Arrow Pinot Noir 2006
Well, I can usually resist a Valentine’s day cliche, but not this year it seems! Wild Rock is an interesting New Zealand company, an off-shoot of the hugely successful Craggy Range, making wines from fruit they purchase from every corner of New Zealand. They’ve gone to hotbed of Pinot Noir, Central Otago, for this red, which spent six months in French oak, only 15% of which was new. This has a fine, aromatic nose, with some exotic incense notes, juicy red cherry and summer berry fruit and a touch of something sage-like and herbal. On the palate it is crisp and juicy, with a fresh fruit and a crisp tannin and acid axis giving it some vivacity and life. The creaminess and tobacco and spice character of the oak adds a little depth to a light, slightly lean, but nice expression of Pinot. £9.95, www.winedirect.co.uk