2004 Martinus Estate Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand

[wondersofwine]

13.8% alcohol. Vineyard was established in 1998 (so young vines) with a variety of Pinot Noir clones on a number of different trellis systems. Robert van Zanten is owner/winemaker. Imported by Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA. I first tasted this at a wine dinner at Zely & Ritz in Raleigh with Robert Bath in attendance. New World Pinot Noir profile with some oak influence. Nearly opaques purple-red color. Dark fruits and what reminds me of blackberry tea but what probably prompted the description on the label of red and black licorice. (By the third evening it seemed to shed the blackberry tea quality and show more as purple plumlike. I liked it better in the plum spectrum.) Just enough complexity to maintain interest. Some tannins and a long finish. Could possibly go a couple more years.