2003 Mt. Difficulty Pinot Noir. Central Otago, New Zealand. 14% alcohol. $30.
Light ruby red with a sexy, forward nose of toasty oak, cherry, and plum. Nice cherry fruit flavors continue in the mouth. Decent length. Fruit was primarily de-stemmed (15 to 20% percent of the fruit was left as whole clusters) and then given a five to seven day cold soak prior to fermentation. The wine aged on its lees for 11 months and then was filtered before being put into glass. Closed with a screwcap. Drink now to 2008. 85 points.