One last suggestion for Valentine’s Day are these two Pinots from Marisco Vineyards from Marlborough, New Zealand: The Ned Pinot Noir 2019 and The Ned Rosé 2020. The Pinot Noir is a bit bigger than BC Pinots or from Burgundy, but it is very seductive. Reminds me more of a Pinot Noir from Oregon. That seduction may be what you want or need for Valentine’s Day.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Marisco Vineyards The Ned Pinot Noir 2019 (BC $21.49)
Appearance: Deep garnet, translucent to the core.
Nose: Medium intensity, deep aromas with black cherries, red and black fruit, sweet spices, and a touch of oak. With decanting the aromas become more pronounced and go mainly toward dark fruits, plus sweet spices and a touch of dill.
Palate: Dry to start; smooth, soft, round, and mouthfilling. Very light, fine-grained tannins. A mix of black cherries and plums, raspberries and red fruits, nutmeg, and touches of floral and oak. Plus a hint of dark chocolate. The wine feels bigger bodied with decanting. Still smooth, soft and round. Flavours are the same but the black fruits now dominate.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with dark fruits, juicy black cherries, a touch of oak, light pepperiness and some sweet fruit at the very end. Lightly drying tannins. Same flavours and finish with decanting.
Decant or not is OK. If you prefer a mix of red and black fruit then go for the undecanted version, but if you prefer black fruit only, then decant this wine.
Rating: 
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A very seductive Pinot Noir for Valentine’s Day. Deep aromas with black cherries, red and black fruits, sweet spices and a touch of oak. Fuller bodied, smooth and round with light fine tannins. Medium acidity. Black fruit, black cherries, black plums, plus red fruits, sweet spices and hints of floral and oak. Medium-plus length finishing with dark fruits, juicy black cherries and lightly drying tannins.
Marisco Vineyards The Ned Rosé 2020 (BC $24.98)
Appearance: Bright, clear orangy wild rose colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas of tart red fruit, strawberries and a touch of bramble leaf. Cut red apples noticeable with swirling. I liked the aromas more with decanting; fresh strawberries and red apples, plus a touch of bramble leaf.
Palate: Dryish, round but not mouthfilling. Lean mid-palate to finish. Steely with raspberries, strawberries and tart red cherry flavours, along with a touch of bramble leaves and red apples in the background. Crisp acidity. The wine had a bit more acidic prickle and was more mouthfilling with decanting. The flavours stayed the same, but the red apples were more prominent and upfront. Fresh!
Finish: Medium length finishing with tart red fruit, bramble leaf, a hint of floral and a touch of heat at the very end. Same flavours and length with decanting.
I think a short decant helps bring out the fresh aromas and flavours in this wine.
Rating: with decanting. Bright, clear orangy wild rose colour. Medium intensity aromas with a mix of strawberries, red apples and a touch of bramble leaf. Round, medium-plus body with bright, fresh fruit flavours; strawberries and red apple the most, with lesser amounts of raspberries, tart red cherries and bramble leaf. Steely. A medium-length finishing with tart red fruit and bramble leaf.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
The Ned Pinot Noir is available at BC Liquor Stores and at Everything Wine. The Ned Rosé is also available at Everything Wine. These wines may be available at other private wine shops, but you need to ask.
