New Zealand is proving to be a star performer when it comes to Pinot Noir. This is a fruit driven style exhibiting juicy cherry and strawberry fruit combined with subtle oak. The finish is smooth and soft.

Deep bright ruby red in colour, Devil's Staircase Pinot Noir is a dizzying fusion of firm fruit, tempting spices and alluring earthen notes. Each drop of this wine is bursting with flavours of black Doris plums, blueberries and bramble fruit that leave one wanting for more. It is characterized as a fruity, rich and full wine with finely balanced acid and firm tannins. The supple richness of Rockburn Devils Staircase Pinot Noir complements a range of savoury dishes. It can be tried alongside game birds such as quail, turkey and duck, or with a fillet of New Zealand salmon.

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.

Marlborough Sounds Pinot Noir is packed with sweet, cherry flavour. Luscious & complex with smooth tannins & rose aroma, the fruity flavours in this Pinot Noir are expertly balanced by hints of spice & toasty oak.

Rapaura Springs have turned plenty of heads with their current releases - the Reserve Pinot Noir is little short of jaw dropping. Drinking beautifully now expect a nose that's ripe, plush and jammed full of seductive fruit and spice smells, while textbook silky mouth-feel leads to a long fine finish. Drink it with five spice duck and rice.

This great Pinot Gris from Mt Difficulty has aromatics reminiscent of a fruit cocktail full of stone fruit, melon and green mango. These characters are richly replicated on the palate, with a full-textured mid palate and an off-dry finish. Delicious.

Mt Difficulty is one of Central Otago's oldest and most prestigious vineyards. Having tamed the rugged region since 1992, Mt Difficulty produce wines of utmost character and charm. Their Roaring Meg Pinot Noir shows lovely perfumed blackberry and dark cherry fruits along with a hint of spice. On the palate the wine has a sweet berry character along with balanced, ripe textural tannins that rise gracefully out of the mid-palate to finish the wine.

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.