2004 Crossings Pinot Noir, Marlborough, N.Z.

[wondersofwine]

WLDG Tasting 101 (another forum) is reporting on New Zealand wines this month so I tried this one.
13.5% alcohol
Dark red color barely tinged with violet. Not opaque.
Dark cherries and cinnamon stick on the nose. Red caramel apple glaze was the first flavor impression but on the second evening I was getting some boysenberry and blueberry notes. (The bottle label speaks of aromas of black plums and violets and flavors of berry fruits with savory notes). From Marlborough's Atawere Valley and uses estate grown grapes from The Crossings three vineyards (includes Medway River and Willow Flat Vineyards). Imported by W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Harrison, NY. I paid $20 at a wine shop in Raleigh (it was less than the $28 they were asking for a Matariki Pinot Noir).
I liked this better than the few New Zealand Pinot Noirs I have previously tried (it grew on me the second night) but I'm not certain I would purchase it again.