We started this evening with the Sileni, Hawkes Bay Rose 2003. A nice light reddish pink in the glass, had aromas and flavours of plums and dark berry fruits . There was a touch of oak in the background. A nice summer patio sipper. We were entertained by Mr. Guy Dalcourt this evening. Guy has traveled extensively in the Old World and was able to give us his perspective on the New World Pinot Noir styles we tasted this evening.

Our first wine was the Santa Rita, Leyda Valley Pinot Noir Reserva, 2006, from Chile. They Leyda Valley is a relatively new area for vineyards, with the first plantings in the 1990s. It is becoming very well known for their pinot noir due in part to the cooler climate as it is moderated by the sea. This wine was medium red in the glass. Big violet aromas on the nose. Soft in the mouth, rose flavour and medium length. It is an exceptional deal at $14 a bottle, general listing in the BC Liquor stores.

Next we tasted the Casas del Bosque, Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir Gran Reserva, 2007, from Chile. Casas del Bosque means House of Wood in Spanish. The winery as I last understood was moving toward organic certification, but I have not heard if it has yet received it. This wine had some earthiness and strawberrry aromas. It had bright strawberry and vanilla flavour. Much more fuller bodied and more fruit than the Santa Rita. This wine paired nicely with the strawberries and mixed nuts.

Our next wine was the Tohu, Marlborough, Pinot Noir, 2006, from New Zealand. This is the first Maori owned winery in New Zealand. It is located in the famous Marlborough region, which is on the north end of the south island. Marlborough is said to receive the most sunny days in New Zealand, to help the grapes reach maturity. Light red in the glass with light strawberry aroma. Good acidity, with more strawberries and a bit of tannin upon tasting. Another Marlborough pinot noir we tasted was the Staete Landt Marlborough Pinot Noir, 2005. This is a single vineyard wine and has spent an amazing 18 months in oak, but was not overly oaky. A deep deeper red than the Tohu. More strawberries and a bit of perfumy in the glass. Big fruit, some spice, cherries and strawberries on the palate. This wine went well with the strawberries and nuts.

We then moved across to try our first Australian pinot noir. The Plantagenet Omrah Pinot Noir, 2007 is from the Mt. Barker region of Western Australia. This wine was quite deep red in colour. Light strawberry and oak aromas. Good acidity, strawberry and cherry flavours, some spice and a medium length. Not yet at it's peak, our speaker felt this wine could age for another 5 years. The blue cheese went well with this wine. Our other Australian wine was the Labyrinth Yarra Valley Viggers Vineyard, 2003. This wine comes come the cool climate Yarra Valley which is north of Melbourne in SE Australia. This was the biggest of our pinot noirs for the evening. Deep red with big legs in the glass. Very earthy. Violets and strawberry upfront, followed by dark fruit flavours. Firm tannins with a violet finish. This wine also went well with the blue cheese. The other lighter bodied wines did not pair well with the blue cheeses. We had one final Leyda Valley wine from Chile, the Leyda, Leyda Valley Lot 21, 2005. This vineyard was started in 1997 and produces organically grown grapes. Only 300 cases of this wine are produced, so we were fortunate to enjoy this rare wine. It had a very nice strawberry nose. Good acid, some spiciness, strawberry and oak flavours, with a medium body. A nice pairing with the goat cheese.

Tasting Selection
Favourite Red: Staete Landt Marlborough Pinot Noir, 2005, New Zealand
Second Favorite Red: Leyda, Leyda Valley Lot 21, 2005, Chile

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