2016 Marlborough Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Novum's 2016 Pinot Noir is on the sturdy side for a Marlborough Pinot, with firm, velvety tannins still present on the palate and lasting through the finish. It's dark in hue and dark in flavor, with notes of black cherries, plums and cola, plus subtle hints of earth and spice. While not unapproachable now, it should be better in a year or two and may be one of the rare Marlborough Pinots that lasts a decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Let's see whether all the seasons Will Hoare worked at Au Bon Climat in California's Central Coast are discernible … Sweet, beetrooty nose. Not as immediately outstanding as the same producer's 2017 Chardonnay. Gentle sweet fruit and enough acidity but no more. Light grainy tannins. This has a bit more grunt, and probably longevity, than the average Marlborough Pinot, but on a world scale it's good enough rather than outstanding in my view. Still quite simple with a very light violet note. Very fine tannins. I'd love to see this in two or three years but I'm sure stocks will be long gone. (JR)