After a very successful stint as chief winemaker at Geelong’s Bannockburn Vineyards, Michael Glover returned to his native New Zealand to make wine under a new label, Mammoth, in Nelson. The first Pinot Noir release under the Mammoth label shows good promise for the future.
Glover has employed some of the tricks he used at Bannockburn Vineyards in making this wine, particularly the use of whole bunches, 100% in this instance. Yet this is a very different wine to a Bannockburn Vineyards Pinot Noir. While Bannockburn Pinot Noir can be very earthbound and ‘mulchy’, even in its youth, 2013 Mammoth Pinot Noir is exotically perfumed – florals abound – and there is a burst of fruit – plum and cherry to be specific.
No-one would confuse 2013 Mammoth Pinot Noir with red Burgundy, but it is unmistakably Pinot Noir. Those seeking classicism might quibble, but there’s a lot about this wine to admire, not the least the quality of the raw materials, which have lent themselves to Glover’s winemaking philosophy.
2013 MAMMOTH PINOT NOIR
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $70.00
Date tasted: 22 May 2015
Tasting Note:
Bright ruby in appearance. Attractive perfumed nose of saturated black and red fruits, truffle and lifted florals (lilac, rose) – textbook Pinot Noir. Medium bodied, svelte and satin-like – real polish and sheen. The palate follows up the nose. Quite a bit of mass, but not heavy or clunky. Fine powdery tannins suggest potential to develop over the medium term. The only concern is a touch of warming alcohol on the finish. Unmistakably New World, but good quality Pinot Noir.
Score: 17/20
Glover has employed some of the tricks he used at Bannockburn Vineyards in making this wine, particularly the use of whole bunches, 100% in this instance. Yet this is a very different wine to a Bannockburn Vineyards Pinot Noir. While Bannockburn Pinot Noir can be very earthbound and ‘mulchy’, even in its youth, 2013 Mammoth Pinot Noir is exotically perfumed – florals abound – and there is a burst of fruit – plum and cherry to be specific.
No-one would confuse 2013 Mammoth Pinot Noir with red Burgundy, but it is unmistakably Pinot Noir. Those seeking classicism might quibble, but there’s a lot about this wine to admire, not the least the quality of the raw materials, which have lent themselves to Glover’s winemaking philosophy.
2013 MAMMOTH PINOT NOIR
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $70.00
Date tasted: 22 May 2015
Tasting Note:
Bright ruby in appearance. Attractive perfumed nose of saturated black and red fruits, truffle and lifted florals (lilac, rose) – textbook Pinot Noir. Medium bodied, svelte and satin-like – real polish and sheen. The palate follows up the nose. Quite a bit of mass, but not heavy or clunky. Fine powdery tannins suggest potential to develop over the medium term. The only concern is a touch of warming alcohol on the finish. Unmistakably New World, but good quality Pinot Noir.
Score: 17/20
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