"st.helier" > wrote in message
...
> "Dee Dee" wrote ..............
>>
>> But as I like to try all Kirkland's wines, against my better judgment,
>> I did buy their Pinot Noir, Central Otago, 2006, New Zealand. $16.79.
>>
>
>
> I am gobsmacked at this price - at current exchange rates, this equates
> to about $NZ20 - it is impossible to get a Central Otago PN for this
> price - even here in NZ, let alone allowing for shipping costs, two/three
> tier margins etc.
>
> Mt Difficulty does a second label called "Roaring Meg" which sells in NZ
> for $NZ25 - and this is a very acceptable wine, so I figure that the
> Kirkland wine may be similar.
>
> But - the pedantic side of my personality can pick a hole in their
> descriptions on their website.
>
> Notwithstanding the fact that the 2006 was an early picked vintage, the
> grapes would not have been harvested until late March 06. (I mean, this IS
> the Southern Hemisphere!)
>
> Allow several weeks for fermentation, then (as stated) 14 months in French
> oak) then (help me winemakers!!!) three/four weeks for racking, settling,
> stabilising, fining, bottling, labeling, packaging, a couple weeks
> shipping to the USA - importing and transshipment - hold on, that means
> this wine would be available - in September or October 07 ????
>
> Someone has got their story a bit skew-wiff (oh the pain of being the
> pedant!)
>
> Anyhow, there has been 100s of hectares of Pinot Noir planted in and
> around Central Otago over the past 10 years; commentators are silently
> predicting that CO PN may become the red equivalent of Marlborough
> Sauvignon Blanc.
>
> Me? The best is superb New World Pinot - and at $US16 - well, one
> can't really go wrong.
>
> --
>
> st.helier
Nice reply - many thanks. And I do enjoy labels and information being
picked apart. My nature as well; however, wine is not my expertise to do
so, so I depend on you.

I did look to see that Kirkland said the Oregon Pinot was stored in French
Oak and stainless steel tanks. I did wonder at this statement, pondering
"did some of them thar grapes go in French Oak barrels and some of them in
tanks." OR was it that they all went first into French Oak barrels, THEN
into stainless steel tanks."

Dee