Idiosyncratic and completely hand crafted Pinot from cooler sites in Western Australia. Picardy is widely regarded as the finest of all Pinot Noirs from WA, it is a must drink for any Pinot obsessive or just those with an adventurous palate. Supple, fragrant and vibrant, Pinot from this area also has a distinct black tea and savouriness character.

The Seresin Leah is a wonderful example of hand-crafted Marlborough Pinot Noir which is sourced from 3 of Seresin's premium vineyard sites; the clay rich hillside Raupo Creek vineyard, the alluvial shingles of the Tatou vineyard and the Home vineyard, which is made up of a variety of Waimakariri type soils of alluvial origin. The wine itself shows a nose of savoury, spicy and earthy aromas with plum, berry and herbal notes. Following is a palate that is both focused and plush with a feminine feel of red fruits, namely strawberry and ripe cherry.

There is no doubting the quality of Northern Tassie Pinot. This is a fine example from the Tamar Valley has elegance, length and varietal flavours of plum and cherry balanced by a touch of oak and light astringency.

Twelve Degrees - not only the optimal drinking temperature for great Pinot Noir, but also the name of this striking Pinot from New Zealand. Brimming with terroir driven flavours of bold, ripe cherry and spice accented oak, this is a modern Pinot Noir style that is perfectly suited to rich game dishes. Twelve Degrees; just right, just perfect.

From vines yielding less than 1 tonne/acre, 100% whole bunch, natural yeast ferment, 100% new oak. A powerful and structural Pinot Noir by Lethbridge. An unusual presentation of the MV6 clone in the Estate vineyard produces fruit of great density of flavour, and very low yield (0.5 tonnes/acre). This wine was fermented with 100% whole bunch inclusion and had pre-fermentation maceration for 7-10 days. Wild yeast fermentation in small open vats proceeded with daily pigéage. Pressing was straight to barrel (100% new French oak) to allow for gross lees contact and natural MLF.

From Kate Goodman's team, who already bring us the wonderful Punt Rd range, this second label perpetuates their well deserved reputation. This is a soft, fruit driven Pinot from sites around the Yarra Valley. It offers great complexity at this price.

Paringa is one of Australia's best and most consistent Pinot producers. This wine shows superb varietal aromas of cherry, plum and spice, and the palate is long, textured and complex. With the ability to be cellared for the medium to long term, Lindsay McCall's Estate Pinot is a certainty to be included in any cellar of a great Pinot Noir lover.

As the northern most sub-region of the Cote de Nuits, Marsannay has the propensity to produce wines or austerity and purity with firm structure. These wines are known to aged very well and this Louis Latour example is no exception. With notes of sour cherry and cigar box, this is an ethereal Pinot Noir with a classic feel about it.

Scorpo has quickly gained a reputation for its Pinot; classic cherry, red berry and spice on the palate that is supported by a savoury, undergrowthy finish. A wonderfully rich and ripe style that lacks nothing in the power department. Still quintessentially Pinot, but with some serious body.

Victoria's first vineyard is a landmark in the Yarra Valley and an icon of the Australian wine industry. Loads of lovely Pinot character on the nose with ripe cherry gamey notes and hints of "forest floor". Silky in texture the lingering flavour is enhanced by a touch of oak.