Villa Maria, Marlborough (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2008

It’s rare to find a Pinot Noir with this complexity and refinement at this price.  With five years of age, it has developed beautifully.  Leafy, even slightly mushroom-y, flavors are in the foreground pushing the bright fruit flavors of a youthful wine into a supporting role.  Suave tannins and perfect acidity translates into a graceful wine with, what’s for me, the quintessential element of Pinot Noir — flavor without weight.