The 2006 Pinot Noir was handpicked at low yields, de-stemmed and matured for 15-16 months in French oak. It has one of those intellectual bouquets that seems introspective at first, but draws you in to seek out its nuances. The palate is medium-bodied, very pure, wonderful balance with notes of boysenberry, briary and black cherry. Like all great Pinots it is understated at first and then swells in the mouth. After a perplexing 2005, the 2006 is the Mountford I know and love. Drink now, but it should age for 8-10 years. There are winemakers and then there is the one and only CP Lin. This is someone who puts his neck on the line when it comes to winemaking and I have found his wines to be either valiant failures or stunning successes. Whatever you may think, it is always exciting to open a bottle of Mountford and New Zealand needs people like CP. No known US importer.