Article on NZ pinot and syrah, raise an eyebrow?

I went to the NZ Wine Expo in Perth at the Hyatt last year and I must say I was disappointed by the reds in general. The whites blew me away though. I love Kiwi sauv. blanc, even though it took me a long time as an Australian to admit it ;) but there were WAY too many. By the end I felt like I'd been stripped of most of my enamel! But the Chardies and the Gewu"zes were amazing. I was really impressed and relished every taste. Stand outs were Villa Maria (a reserve SB stands out, the Chard too, but the GWTraminer knocked my socks off! We can't do anything within reach with that variety in Oz). St. Clair (I think their regular SB is one of the best value whites in the southern hemisphere) and others like Spy Valley and Pegasus (?) were pretty sensational.

When it came to the Cabernet Merlot blends, Shiraz and other varietals, I was left cold. Too much acid for my palate (Mills Reef), indifferent bouquet (Where's the fruit, mate!...*burp a' la the Infamous Attache'*) and really out-there tannin structure. Being from WA I'm quite used to cooler-climate reds from the Great Southern, Pemberton and southern parts of Margos, so I genuinely like the cool-climate styles, but I left feeling sorry for the wine-makers who had put so much effort into ripening their Cabernet to no avail. I was expecting to be converted to the Pinot cult, but it didn't happen for whatever reason. I still think to this day that the best Antipodean Pinot I ever had was from Pemberton, WA. The Picardy Te^te Du Cuvee` Pinot Noir '98. I'd never had anything like it before. The fact that I haven't had anything like it since is probably why I never joined the Pinot club. I'm open to suggestions though. Don't suggest Burgandy 'cause as a 3rd year Vit. &Oen. student I aint got the cash for largesse. Working in a serious bottle-o I'll get my chance soon enough I expect...

St. Helier, please don't kick my head in over my comments. Just appreciate the candor of someone who is trying to see the good in our nations' symbiosis and genuinely interested in NZ wines (and who's just returned from a Goon and Coon night... ;))... Apparently there's some Kiwi dude who's growing some serious Montepulciano (says it's easier to ripen than Cabernet!!!) which I really want to get my hands on. Do you know this producer?

Marcello

Agree in toto St H Luckily just up the road from my sister in laws in Rangiora.