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Muddy Water 2009 Hare's Breath Pinot Noir - Review

Waipara, New Zealand

Our Selection for Wine of the Week May 21, 2012


A bottle of Muddy Water 2009 Hare's Breath Pinot Noir, our wine of the week

Muddy Water
2009 Hare's Breath Pinot Noir

Waipara, New Zealand

Muddy Water is a small, organic estate in Waipara, a region on New Zealand's South Island known for Riesling and Pinot Noir. It was started as a family-run operation but was recently sold to neighboring vineyard Greystone Wines. Greystone plans to continue Muddy Water's tradition as an environmentally friendly, boutique winery, including upholding the winery's commitment to the Greening Waipara initiative to enhance the region's biodiversity. Hare's Breath is Muddy Water's single vineyard Pinot Noir. It offers ripe cherry, stewed plums and violets on the nose. On the palate, its fruit flavors lean toward cherry pie and black plums. Near the back of the palate, interesting anise and baking spice notes add complexity. Its tannins are surprisingly substantial but should smooth out with a bit of age. Reasonably big bodied for a Pinot Noir, it would work well with roasted game birds like pheasant or squab. This distinctly New World wine would also be a match for hearty sea bass with a mushroom sauce. Or serve it at the end of a meal with hard, well-aged cheeses.

Rating: 13.5/20
Price:
$32


Other Pinot Noirs we have tasted
Check out our New Zealand Travel Guide

For more information, visit www.muddywater.co.nz


See also:
Muddy Water 2009 Pinot Noir

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PBH050412
(Updated: 05/21/12 BH)


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