Score: 88/100
The Squealing Pig label is part of the global Treasury Wine Estate portfolio in New Zealand, together with Matua Valley wines. I actually first tasted this wine at Matua’s Auckland cellar door and decided then that its very pleasant quality would grant it a review here.
There’s little information available about this wine (hey people at Treasury, there should really be more !!), where it is made, how, etc. But we know the fruit is sourced from the premium Pinot Noir-growing region of Central Otago, on the South Island of New Zealand.
Otherwise, we have to rely on the flowery -yet entertaining in this case- back-label description (the crossed-out words are effectively presented this way on the back-label, a Kiwi touch of humor;-):
“This Squealing Pig Pinot Noir has been made from select parcels of fruit sourced from small vineyards in Central Otago. With temperatures ranging from boiling sunny to freezing cool, these vineyards produce wonderfully fruit-driven Pinots. This wine is totally fabulous has great regional character. The fruit was open-top plunged and fermented in teenie weenie small lots keeping each individual vineyard separate. Having spent 10 months in French oak, the result is amazing!!! Just like wine of the gods dark purple bursting with cherry and berry aromas with notes of coffee and chocolate.”
The wine has received a few awards:
- Double Gold at 2014 San Francisco International Wine Competition: meaning all of the judges awarded it a Gold
- Gold at 2014 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition
- Pure Bronze at Air New Zealand Wine Awards
Find out more with the official 2013 Spuealing Pig Pinot Noir Tasting Notes..
It’s all fun and games to get awards and stickers on the bottle, but what’s the wine actually worth? The answer is in the tasting notes:
Appearance: bright ruby red, fairly dark for a Pinot Noir
Nose: plenty of ripe red fruits, cherry, strawberry. Very lifted nose, quite an intensity of aromas really: fruit-driven with a touch of vanilla, as well as forest floor.
Palate: Explosion of fruit on the palate as well, like Central Otago Pinot does, also with the slightly hot finish from the 13.5% alcohol.
It’s not only fruit though. The wine appears quite spicy with white pepper and nutmeg. I like the earthiness that complements the flavor profile, even more intensely on the palate than the nose, giving it a nice depth.
A wealthy amount of vanilla exuberates on the finish, highlighting the wine’s 10-month ageing in French oak. Tannins are smooth overall, but the wine has a decent tannic structure, with a good grip on the finish.
A very enjoyable wine, powerful, fruity and spicy, yet smooth with sweet ripe-fruit flavors and vanilla. Everything you need for a great quaffable drink, both with food or on its own.
Perfect to drink now and within the next 2-3 years.
Find this wine to buy on Wine-Searcher.
Please let me know your thoughts