Essenze Damkeeper Pinot Noir 2009

Essenze Damkeeper Pinot Noir 2009 (Central Otago, NZ)
14%, Screwcap, $42
Source: Sample
www.mcwilliams.com.au

Essenze is one of McWilliams NZ labels, this was crafted by ex Mcwilliams winemaking honcho Corey Ryan (who is now in charge of Woolworths winemaking at the Dorrien winery in the Barossa). This Damkeeper Pinot Noir is drawn from the Bendigo sub-region.

It’s every bit a modern Central Otago Pinot too – fruit heavy and polished, the oak chocolatey and a sweet and just a fraction dominant. A nose to wine medals no doubt. That palate is notably rich, choc-cherry mudcake rich, the wine quite sweet through the middle before ending with bitter tannins and a rather warm finish

A very flattering and plush Pinot Noir if just a little stunted and ‘crafted’, this is pleasant enough.

Drink: 2012-2017
Score: 17/20 90/100
Would I buy it? Probably not.