Dr Forrest and his wife Brigid (also a doctor) use techniques in the vineyard to allow the grapes to obtain maximum flavour, but keep sugar (and therefore alcohol) levels down. No fancy winery or laboratory tricks – just some very clever canopy management and timing as to when they pick. This superb Pinot is made with fruit from North and Middle Wairau Valley vineyards, planted over 20 years ago. Get ready for shimmering floral notes, red summer fruits, dark cherry, raisins, and a nutty, savoury undertone. It’s lovely. 9.5%

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.

Konrad Organic Pinot Noir. Quality has always been the absolute focus for Konrad wines. It starts in the vineyard where no corners are cut and continues in the winery where handcrafting is the standard. Certified organic, this Pinot Noir has aromas of black cherry, mocha and hints of porcini mushroom, underpinned by smokey, earthy flavours and dark fruit on the palate.

An elegantly structured Pinot Noir displaying bright bramble fruit, crushed dried herbs and rich earthy notes on the nose. On the palate concentrated flavours of bright cherry and plum are supported by finely integrated smoky French oak. Balanced with soft and silky tannins, this delightfully enticing wine leads to a long, lingering finish.

Dog Point is responsible for some of Marlborough's best Pinot noir. This release has lifted aromas of dark cherries stone fruit and violets. The palate is rich and complex with a supple velvety texture.

It bursts with bright red-currant and cherry fruit, cinnamon, cloves, cracked pepper and drying violets with a savory earthy undertone. The palate is plush but neatly packaged with savory, focused tannins and crunchy berry fruit. The spicy French oak does show on both the nose and the palate but it adds rather than detracts. Drink this young and slightly chilled as a light alternative to charred barbecue fare.

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.

Founded by Steve Planthaber, originally from Adelaide but post school left for the South Island of New Zealand. A move to Marlborough with his partner Kirsty Sutherland cemented his love for all things wine. Hard not to be inspired when meeting the Sutherland’s who were one of the pioneers of viticulture in the region, part of the original success of Cloudy Bay followed by establishing their own estate Dog Point. Steve was keen to find his own path and after 12 years running the production and operations at Cloudy Bay decided to begin his own wine brand, Settlement. Settlement, named after the stunning Amphitheatre single vineyard site in the Omaka Valley, is dedicated entirely to the production of organic, old vine single vineyard expressions of very special sites in Marlborough. Doesn’t get any more Southern Valley than this site, right in the Omaka Valley. High density of clay in this soil, lots of very good Pinot Noir sites in this sub-region. The Settlement Vineyard is the youngest of the 4 sites, planted in 2009 but a beautiful amphitheater, steep hillside vineyard, 4000 vines per hectare so high density plantings. North/North West facing. Hand picked/sorted, 70% destemmed/30% wholebunch. Short pre soak then wild fermented in tank, Pressed to barrel then aged for 18 months in French oak, 35% new. Francois Freres and Mercurey Oak. Complex, youthful, pure and fresh. Aromas and flavours of dark red cherry and fruit spices, there’s mineral rock and stone quality, plum and black currant. Delicious on the poalate, but still very youthful, a taut texture driven my tannins and acidity, but cushioned by a core of fruit that collectively will see this wine age well. Dry and lengthy on the finish with flavours that mirror the bouquet. Best drink from 2024 through 2034. Excellent. - Cameron Douglas MW, 94 Points

A top-quality organic Pinot Noir from the home of the long white cloud, Marlborough New Zealand. Deep violet in colour with a bright red hue indicating freshness. Hints of forest floor brambles and dark cherry compote combine with spiced note of French Oak on the aroma to produce a layer and complex aroma. On the palate a richness of flavour continues from the aroma, with the addition of supporting tannin and juicy acidity finishing with a long persistent length of flavour. Perfect to drink now but capable of developing even more complexity within bottle in the medium term. Pairs well with Chicken wrapped in bacon, or rare red meats or Salmon.