Niagara Peninsula VQA Pinot Noir 2012, Tawse

This bottle reflects the riches and embarrassments of blind-tasting. This Canadian pinot noir was a deep red colour with an obviously brick-red rim. Immediately open on the nose, spice, aniseed, clove, musk. Interesting. Meaty notes and a touch medicinal. Clearly evolved. On the palate there is very good blackberry fruit, plum and a hint of sweet sherry. Rich and long with excellence balance, plum dominates in the mouth and there are decent tannins on the finish. Embarrassment: I guessed this to be a Gevrey 1er Cru 2012. I recommend that everyone takes the Tawse pinot noir tasting test blind.