The South Island of New Zealand is home to some of the worlds greatest new world Pinot Noir's and Central Otago can claim a large proportion of these. This superb Otago Pinot from South Island is an exotic light bodied red with wild fruit flavours of strawberry and ripe cherry and proves you don't have to break the bank to get great Otago Pinot Noir.

Delicate colour. Aromas of lifted raspberry, redcurrant and cranberry fruit float across underlying earth and spice notes. The palate is fine and delicate but still well defined and structured. More cranberry and redcurrant characters are on show here too. There is some gentle oak influence adding tannin and complexity.

Innocent Bystander eminates from Victoria's Yarra Valley and is the brain child of owner, Phil Sexton. With winemaker Steve Flamsteed on board, the Innocent Bystander wines are fantastically varietal and extremely approachable. The Pinot Noir is packed full of black cherry and cedary notes with a perfect balance of soft, but fine grained tannin.

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.

This is a great value for money Pinot! 6ft6 has lovely aromas of cherries raspberries and a hint of white pepper on the nose. The palate is brimming with bright lively fruit and the balance is impeccable.

N Z by Nature Marlborough Pinot Noir is a generous and elegant wine. The even balance of dark berry fruit flavours with fine ripe tannins leads to rich, generous finish. An ideal wine to pair with roast duck.

The Yarra Valley is renowned for its excellence in Pinot Noir and this expression is no exception. In the glass: Medium garnet red. On the nose: Ripe dark berry fruit. On the palate: Bold, quite powerul red plum and raspberry fruit with some background stalky, herbal elements. Firm and dry yet flavoursome and varietal.

A Central Otago Pinot with earthiness and depth to wallow in. The pristine cool-climate along with long sun drenched days allowed the fruit to ripen magnificently and produce aromas of deep red cherry, blackberry and cocoa. In the mouth the Squealing Pig is rich and generous with velvet like tannins and a wonderful, long finish.

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir is surprisingly a serious complex Pinot. Intense cherry and gamey, earthy notes are enhanced with quality French oak and the finish is spicy savoury and long. Terrific value.

This well crafted Pinot Noir presents red fruit aromas of raspberries and strawberries coupled with some rose and earthiness. The lush and medium bodied palate impresses you with its flavours of sweet fruit, fine tannins, balanced acidity and a satisfying finale. Age this wine in the cellar for 3 to 5 years for great complexity. Enjoy it with roasted chicken, salmon or pasta dishes.

The team at Oakridge are going from strength to strength these days and they are taking the Over The Shoulder range with them. Dry maraschino cherry and gently gamey yet clean mouthful of delicious Pinot! Really great finishing length for this sort of price!