April 2005, Geoff Kelly Wine Reviews

TWO PADDOCKS FIRST PADDOCK 2003

17 ½ (****) Central Otago, New Zealand: 13.5% $38

[screwcap; cold-soak, fermentation and cuvaison totalled 28 days, 10 months in French oak 30%]

Big pinot noir ruby, markedly deeper than the Last Chance wine. Benefits from decanting, to reveal a deeper and heavier wine all round than its companion. Bigger is not necessarily better however, and there are suggestions of sur-maturité and dark plumminess, rather than cherries and florals. Palate is rich and velvety, and for those to whom weight on palate is more important than beauty of bouquet, this wine will rate higher than the Last Chance. Cellar 5 – 15 years.

© Copyright 2005, Geoff Kelly Wine Reviews