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.
Archives
Renato Estate Nelson Pinot Noir 2016 $25.90 (4 stars)
The grape gods must have been smiling on Renat Nussbaumer and his tiny Nelson vineyard in 2016. The fruit ripened beautifully, giving wine that roars with spiciness and the acidity is zesty-fresh and feisty. I get some soy and black tea amongst the usual cherry-suspects. www.renatoestate.co.nz
Nobody’s Hero Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $19.99
Crafted by the good folk at Framingham, Nobody’s Hero is a rather punked up pinot with a bullet belt, tight tartan pants and a Sid Vicious bum flap, but texts his mum every day and has more showers than is deemed cool. Packed with cherry-cola characters, tamarillo and rosehip tea and a dusting of cocoa, … Read More
Supper Club Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $22.99 (3.5 stars)
If you’re looking for a lightly-styled, lush, plush pinot noir that’s sewn together with spice, and rosehip tea, then this may be for you. It’s slippery and soft, with an earthy undertone and decent length of flavour and if you’re magicking up some creamy mushroom pasta then here’s your match. For stockists near you phone … Read More
Te Hera Reserve Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 $42 (5 stars)
Prepare for a spice overload in this certified organic example from the lovely John Douglas at Te Hera. I say ‘lovely’ because he is quite possibly the smiliest man in all the Wairarapa. What he’s able to produce from his tiny Te Muna Terraces site is year-after-year is reliably delicious, like he’s some sort of … Read More
Nautilus Southern Valleys Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $39 (4 stars)
Blended from a selection of Nautilus Wairau Valley vineyard sites, this is delicately scented, and elegantly poised on the palate. It is seriously smooth and supple, with red fruits like pomegranate, raspberry, red cherry and redcurrant just peaking their pretty faces above the core of savoury, earthy flavours. Soft, plush and perfect with duck liver … Read More
Nautilus Clay Hills Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $69.99 (5 stars)
Nautilus Clay Hills Vineyard is located on the ridge that divides the Brancott and Omaka Valleys and it’s divided into 6 separate blocks with differing aspects, elevation and slopes. Pinot noir grown on clay-based soils seem to possess a unique depth of flavour and I’m a huge fan. Matured for 11 months in 33% new … Read More
Nautilus Awatere River Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $62.99 (4.5 stars)
Nautilus’ Awatere River vineyard is a small, terraced site approximately 25 kilometres upstream on the north bank of the Awatere River and Pinot was planted there in 1999. Nineteen years on, those vines are turning out super-concentrated fruit that just dances into the bottle. Silky and seductive, there’s a sniff of toast from 11 months … Read More
Whistling Buoy Half Acre Vineyard Banks Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016 $42 (4 stars)
The Half Acre vineyard grows on a north-facing, sun-soaked site located on the southern flank of Lyttleton Harbour and the vines were only 16 years old when this vintage was produced. Vibrant wild berry and hedgerow aromas lead to a palate awash with spice and smoky notes. The tannins have grip which get the saliva … Read More
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 the grapes live the dream there, because the resulting wine is a smile in a bottle. Fresh, luscious, spice-infused and dusted with cocoa, it’s tannins are plucky … Read More