Escarpment Pinot Noir
Martinborough is considered by many as the home of Pinot Noir - not only in New Zealand but the 'New World' in general. It is hard to argue when wines like this are produced. Pinot Noir superstar, Larry McKenna, hand-crafts a wine that is overflowing with perfumed black, red and green fruit flavours that are all in harmony with the mid-weighted palate. Textured oak and fine-grained tannin give a nod to the fact that this wine will age gracefully for a decade or more. A stunning benchmark.
Devil's Corner Resolution Pinot Noir
Devil's Corner Resolution Pinot Noir is a full bodied style of Pinot Noir showing blackberry, sour cherry and hints of cedar from the quality French oak. The wine displays a juicy fruit driven middle palate with a crisp savoury texture and fine grained tannins. Given the wines depth and structure it is well worth putting some away in the cellar and looking at it again in 5 to 8 years.
Ocean Eight Pinot Noir
As featured on "Battle of the Vines": Ocean Eight represents really well what Mornington Peninsula can do for Pinot, Liinaa says. It has that cool climate Pinot loves its got those really nice spicy notes, like Sichuan, quail, gamey hints and Michael Aylward is totally hot (Whoops, can I say that?)
Saddleback Pinot Noir
Saddleback is the second label to Greg Hay's Peregrine and the Pinot Noir is made using fruit from the Gibbston and Cromwell Basin sub regions of Central Otago. Light, elegant with black cherry and plum fruit, held together by a fine tannin structure and refreshing acidity.
Mud House Claim 431 Pinot Noir
This wine has plenty going for it, including all those delicious flavours that make Kiwi Pinot adored across the world. It's a concentrated but elegant wine with dark cherry aromas with complex notes of mocha and cinnamon. Luscious bramble, cherry and spice give generous length to the palate.
Mount Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir
This wine highlights the slightly cooler season with lovely perfumed dark red forest berries and cherry fruits along with a hint of dried herb, adding complexity. The wine has a sweet berry entry which displays these same characters in abundance. Lovely ripe textural tannins rise gracefully out of the mid-palate to finish the wine. These are balanced by the wines acidity and fruit, to produce a long fruit-driven finish.
Rapaura Springs ROHE Pinot Noir
Dark cherry, violet and cinnamon spice aromas complement red fruit, chocolate and subtle spice flavours on the palate. The fruit flavours are framed with supple tannins and a core of juicy acidity. This wine is immediately enjoyable but will continue to drink well for the next eight years if you can wait that long.
Mount MacLeod Pinot Noir
The second label of Caledonia Australis, this is bright ruby in colour with great clarity. Classic Pinot hallmarks of raspberry and plum with subtle oak and lingering flavours supported by fine tannins. An excellent Pinot at a great price!
Isabel Estate Pinot Noir
An excellent Pinot - low yielding vines growing in calcium rich clay, within stoney subsoils derive a fine fruit. Extended brilliantly, sunny cool autumnal freshness has led to a wine of finesse and character.
Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir
Approachable, generous and flavoursome with a silken elegance. Berry fruits come to the fore with gentle dried herb notes in the background. Medium bodied, the palate is finely structured with lovely soft lingering tannins which integrate perfectly with the soft supportive acid and plush fruit.