Vintus

New Zealand’s WineNZ magazine has named the 2008 Delta Hatter’s Hill the best value in Kiwi Pinot over NZ$30 (US$21). With the elegance, class and charm of a bottle twice it’s price, the Hatter’s Hill is one of the best wines Marlborough has to offer. Says WineNZ:

“Skilled winemaking is evident in Matt Thomson’s Delta Hatters Hill Pinot Noir 2008. Immediately one is greeted by bright, juicy, vibrant boysenberry and blueberry on the nose. The palate is clean and ripe with blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and spice all in good concentration. This wine shows polished texture and managed to be at once a delicious and approachable wine.”

The full rankings are here.

Ben Weinberg of Unfiltered, Unfined has a great roundup of Southern-Hemisphere wines, including Delta’s Pinot Noir 2008.  The velvet cream comparison is spot on, rich and seductive with a clean finish of cherries and spice. Full article is here.

Delta Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough
“As for reds, New Zealand’s rich, chocolaty Delta Pinot Noir Marlborough is basically a glass of velvet cream, like a liquid HoHo. But this wine diverges from the cake analogy by finishing long and lush, with cinnamon and dark cherry notes that linger in the mouth. A lot of wine, especially Pinot Noir, for the money.” Unfiltered, Unfined