Vintage Wine Taster Bruce first tipped us off to this intriguing Pinot Noir that is available at K&L Wines in San Francisco and Redwood City. The price is $10.99. Normally we would post this on Monday in our weekly picks of bargain wines. However, we see that at all stores the inventory is low on these wines, thus today’s Wine Alert.
2008 Mud House “Swan” Pinot Noir Central Otago New Zealand
Bruce’s favorite varietal is Pinot Noir and he states: “I bought a bottle of Mud House at K&L in RWC and went back today and bought 6 more. It is fruity, soft and balanced, as good as some of the Pinots I have paid $40 for. Recently I purchased Calera and Banshe for $20. They were good but Mudhouse beats them by a mile.”
Once I heard this from Bruce, I had to give the Pinot a try. I was heading down to Palo Alto so a stop at the Redwood City K&L Wines was an easy call. We tried the Pinot Noir last night, and it is as good at Bruce states. It could easily pass for a $30 Pinot. It has a little mocha character that adds a little extra to the red berry flavors of this wine.
According to K&L Wines: “The fruit comes from Central Otago, which is the new “darling” area for New Zealand Pinot and to be specific the sub-region of Bendigo. The wine, which spent 10 months in 30% new French oak, offers a bouquet of raspberry, cherry, clove, earth and mocha. On the palate, there are fine tannins that frame the core of fruit with good acidity supporting the fine finish.”
You can visit the K&L Website and look at the inventory for this wine. You can purchase online, but I am more reserved these days and need to try a wine before I think of buying half a case or more.
