Kono, Pinot Noir, 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand ($13)

Well, getting a new $13 pinot noir that is even drinkable is a challenge nowadays. My previous two or three attempts were acidic disasters. Other bloggers have slated this wine. Howver, I think this wine is okay, not life changing, but okay. Nice balance and palpably un-Australian. There were some darker notes on the plate than most of the Aussies and they reminded me ever-so-slightly of the Kiwi pnot's I tasted at the Cool Climate Wine Show - though without the power or intensity of those wine show entrants. This is not a powerful, and is open to teh accusation of beign watery by all those shiraz drinkers. But I like that less powered taste. I don't always want my head blown to pieces by a mega-power red. Very quaffable, but may not stand up to food too well. Pat had a few sips and claimed to have a headache from it next morning. I had a few glasses and was okay.