The magnificent 2005 Pinot Noir has a lucid ruby core. A superb nose, very vibrant with great definition, primal with notes of black cherry, raspberry leaf, a touch of citrus fruits, the palate is again very primal but imbued with almost electrifying balance. Driven by its acidity, this has a freshness on the palate that is an absolute pleasure, with notes of black cherries again, a touch of blueberry and violets. Just a little disjointed on the finish, but that does not detract from a top-notch Pinot Noir that should drink well for a decade. Muddy Water is one of Canterbury’s most respected wine producers, established by Michael and Jane East in 1993, debuting with their 1997 vintage. Given that the difficulty of the growing season forced Muddy Water to source 31% of the Chardonnay fruit from Nelson and 55% from Marlborough, the 2005 Chardonnay is a great success.Importer: Via Pacifica, Sebastopol, CA; tel. (800) 823-5545; fax (707) 823-3393