Cambridge Road Martinborough Pinot Noir 2011

Cambridge Road Martinborough Pinot Noir 2011 $80  It’s very easy to see why Lance Redgwell put a ring on it and announced at the time of release that this is his finest pinot vintage to date, because seven years on from harvest, it’s absolutely blowing my mind.  Sourced from a small 5.5 acre (3 hectare) […]

Lamont Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016

Lamont Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 Bendigo is the warmest of all Central Otago’s sub-regions and that results in pinot noir absolutely erupting with ripe berry, cherry and tamarillo-tastic tension in the mouth. It also captures that moody, mysterious sous bois characteristic of truffle, forest floor and tea leaf tannins. So incredibly vibrant, it […]

Archangel Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014

Archangel Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $37 This Pete Bartle-crafted number is definitely on the tamarillo and tea side and a lipsmacking line of spice and a fresh, frisky acidity. Owned by the Zurakowski family, Archangel’s vineyard is located in the tiny sub-region of Queensberry (a 15-minute drive south of Wanaka), and it’s fast becoming […]

House of Ball Waipara Pinot Noir 2014

House of Ball Waipara Pinot Noir 2014 $41  Crafted by the husband and wife team of Julian and Lynda Ball, just 200 bottles were made of this bright, spicy, classic North Canterbury pinot noir.  Most of it is soaked up by their lucky B&B Guests, but if you contact them quick you could be in […]

Eight Ranges Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $38

Brian Biggs has enlisted the legendary Matt Connell to craft this softly spiced, cherry cola scented sip.  Clean, precise, showing classic red fruits, a hint of cocoa, leafy notes and lovely, silky layers on the finish.

Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $42.50

Sometimes people describe pinot noir as being ‘feminine’ and I think the Peregrine could absolutely be that. Feminine insomuch as she’s tall, tanned, has long, sand-dusted hair, listens to Iron Butterfly and refuses to wear a bra-type of woman. A fabulously feral female is what this wine is. Exotic aromatics of spice, pot pourri, pomegranate […]

Whistling Buoy

I’ve sipped my way through the new Whistling Buoy releases from Canterbury and they’re rather snazzy… Whistling Buoy Kokolo Vineyard Canterbury Pinot Noir 2016 $36 (5 stars) Wow.  Here’s one ultra-juicy, exotically-scented, super-charged pinot noir from under the southern sun. Kokolo is a vineyard on a sheltered site at the head of Lyttleton and clearly […]

Georgetown Vineyard Cental Otago Pinot Rosé 2017 $29 (5 stars)

Georgetown Vineyard Cental Otago Pinot Rosé 2017 $29 (5 stars) Wow! This wine is absolutely heaving with wild strawberries, creaming soda and watermelon-like wonder. So fresh and racy, yet showing incredible depth of flavour, it’s a stunner. Produced from a single vineyard at the eastern end of the Kawarau Gorge, this wine is elegant yet […]

Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $32 ★★★★½

Straight away you’ll be struck by the stunning ruby-garnet colour of this Bendigo-grown pinot – but despite the prettiness of the colour, this wine is quick to grip you around the gumline and shake you into submission.  Exotic rosehip, cherry and smoked sandalwood aromas lead to a palate packed with rhubarb, cranberry, black tea and […]

Crafters Union Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $22 (3.5 stars)

So this wine may come in a decidedly non-pinot noir shaped bottle, we here at WineFriend are happy to encourage a little disruption in tradition, especially when it looks so darn cool. Here’s a lighter style with hints of leather and dusty berry and cherry notes on the nose and palate. Fresh and slightly grippy […]