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

5 April 2017By Yvonne

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 … Read More

Domain Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2012 $39 (5 stars)

3 April 2017By Yvonne

If a wine could actually shout from the rooftops “I’m Central Otago pinot noir dangnabbit!!” then this would be that wine. I love the lift of rhubarb leaf, juicy cherry, dark plum and tea leaf loveliness in every sniff and the fact that all these flavours osmose onto the palate just adds an extra bit … Read More

Grava Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 $45 (4.5 stars)

29 March 2017By Yvonne

Wow! How intense is the fruit in this wine? Chock full of baked cherry, blackened berries, sweet, dark cocoa and baking spices, this little lovely from Lake Ferry Road has it all. Tiny amounts are made by Alastair Gardner and his wife Karla Falloon from grapes grown in deep gravel soils (hence ‘grava’), which provides … Read More

Decibel Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 $40 (3.5stars)

29 March 2017By Yvonne

Daniel Brennan is serious talent where winemaking is concerned, a young up-and-comer from the US carving a kiwi living creating wine in Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough.  It’s his background in the rock n roll business that’s responsible for the name Decibel, but this pinot noir is cool and calm in the background as opposed to … Read More

Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $34 (5stars)

29 March 2017By Yvonne

I really enjoy this kind of pinot noir, the kind that packs a punch with a fistful of fruit in a cloud of sexy spices.  Plush cherry and raspberry layers are interwoven with sweet black tea and allspice on the nose and palate, the acidity adds succulence and juiciness to the mouthfeel and the tannins … Read More

Churton Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013

25 July 2016By Yvonne

Churton Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $44 Biodynamic winegrowing is where the Weaver family of Waihopai Valley excel, so when the winemaker offers to show you his “poo pits” I suggest you accept with a smile because (weirdly) they’re actually rather inspiring. This pinot erupts with bright berries, tangy black tea and sweet dark fruit concentration. … Read More

Nga Waka ‘Lease Block’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014

19 April 2016By Yvonne

Nga Waka ‘Lease Block’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 $50 ★★★★½ I fell in love with the concentration and intensity of this wine from the very first sip.  With so much lush, ripe red fruit and vibrant spices on the nose, you think it’s going to taste over the top and flouncy.  However the cocoa, cherry … Read More

Fairmont Estate Admiral Hill Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2012

31 March 2016By Yvonne

Fairmont Estate Admiral Hill Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2012 $25 ★★★ Lovers of old-school earthiness in their pinot will be all over this wine that’s produced from fruit sourced from the Gladstone Terraces.  Made by Jon McNab, it’s a wine boasting aromas of ancient fallen tree trunks, lush forest floor notes, savoury cherry and shitake mushroom … Read More

Mahana Clays and Gravels Nelson Pinot Noir 2013

22 March 2016By Yvonne

Mahana Clays and Gravels Nelson Pinot Noir 2013 $42 ★★★★½ Nelson produces some of the best pinot noir in the country and this is a great example of why.  I love the aromas of tea, baked strawberries, cherries and all manner of earthy-sweet smokiness.  ‘Mahana’ means ‘warm’ in Maori and there’s definitely smoothness and warmth … Read More