Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $47 ★★★★ The clay-based, alluvial gravels of Marlborough’s southern valleys provide the fuel for the vines charged with producing this powerhouse pinot. It bursts with black cherry, plum, black tea and smoky spices on the nose, followed by a saucy, fruit-soaked palate and a long, lingering finish. It’s youthful, … Read More
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Old North Road Pinot Noir 2013
Old North Road Pinot Noir 2013 $8.99 ★★½ It’s a local brand, from out West Auckland way, but the label doesn’t say where exactly in NZ the fruit has come from, so it’s anyone’s guess. On first sniff there are some baked berry aromas edged with leafy, herbal notes and a whiff of something spicy. … Read More
Jacob’s Creek Classic Pinot Noir 2013
Jacob’s Creek Classic Pinot Noir 2013 $7.90 ★★ On the upside, this wine is very fruity on the nose, with all sorts of strawberry, raspberry leaf and cherry things going on. In the mouth there are some pinot-like flavours, hints of spice and plum – but sadly it’s all a bit watery and there’s an … Read More
Whitecliff Pinot Noir 2014
Whitecliff Pinot Noir 2014 $8.99 ★★½ A local supermarket budget brand that’s been around for aeons, the Whitecliff pinot is actually an Australian wine. But that’s ok because let’s face it, you’re seriously up against it to make pinot noir in this country for that sort of price. It has some sweet, spicy notes on … Read More
Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 $35 ★★★★ ‘Ballasalla’ is the name of the village on the Isle of Man where owner Tim Kerruish grew up. It’s appropriate, as the wine has a ‘homely’ feel to it, immediately comforting and approachable. Attractive red rose, red cherry, tea, black guava and bouquet garni herbs … Read More
Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 $60 ★★★★½ True to their biodynamic philosophies, Ted Lemon and Clair Mulholland conduct all their winemaking work in accordance with lunar and celestial rhythms. They use naturally-occurring, wild yeasts, minimize their sulphur use and avoid using additives or filters. If you want a definition of complexity, this pinot … Read More
Craggy Range Aroha Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013
Craggy Range Aroha Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013 $99.95 ★★★★★ Highly floral aromatics, with rosehip and black tea, plum, rhubarb and a smorgasbord of red fruits burst through on the nose and make way to pillowy, cherry-bramble and spice-forward flavours. There’s a hint of cassia bark, pomegranate, white pepper and smoke followed by leafy, … Read More
Tatty Bogler Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Tatty Bogler Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 $35 ★★★★ It might be named after a scruffy, Scottish scarecrow, but this pinot is pure class. Fresh, clean and showing nice lines of red fruits, cocoa and spice on the nose, the palate is followed by a juicy, long finish. Very nice indeed, and destined for more … Read More
Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009
Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009 $72 ★★★★★ Absolutely gorgeous fresh berry aromatics combined with musky, perfumed, pot-pourri and rhubarb crumble characters in the mouth. I love the luscious raspberry, 5-spice and cherry cola succulence. It’s pricey, and higher in alcohol (14.5%) than most, but it’s sensational nonetheless. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz
Rockburn ‘The Art’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Rockburn ‘The Art’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 $80 ★★★★★ Deep and brooding in the glass, it oozes sweet black tea, black cherry and spice while in the mouth it reveals a peacocks-tail of flavours redolent of dried herbs, succulent plum and cocoa characters. It’s a masculine yet elegant wine with real finesse, tension and a … Read More