Many class Ata Rangi as the quintessential 'New World' Pinot Noir, the best example of the variety outside of Burgundy. It's hard to argue when you let the supple, dark berry and spiced fruit pass your lips. Considered 'Grand Cru' in New Zealand, Ata Rangi was awarded the inaugural Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa classification, cementing its pedigree.

Pegasus Bay is a small family owned winery producing some of New Zealand's best wines, this Pinot and a stunning Sauvignon Blanc Semillon are amongst them. A deep, compelling and multi-faceted Pinot Noir it displays supple, ripe tannins. Drink now or lay it down.

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.

Taylors produce a surprise packet of a Pinot Noir at a very attractive price. Bright cherry colour complemented by a nose of strawberry and spice. Flavours of ripe cherries follow and lingers nicely on the palate.

Owned by actor Sam Neil, Two Paddocks is a small family owned winery in the prestigous Central Otago Region. The Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot Noir shows good length and depth in its youth and will develop more complexity with bottle age.

This wine is made with Pinot Noir fruit grown on some spectacular vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley, comprising predominantly MV6 clone, with some 114 and 115. Pacha Mama use minimal additives or fining and aim to let the fruit shine through rather than clobbering all over it with heavy oak use or commercial wine-making techniques. Flavours of sour cherry and wild strawberries carry on to the palate complexed by a savoury spice and intriguing earthiness that lingers long after the last mouthful.

This Pinot noir is the flagship from Two Paddocks an organically grown barrel selection from the estate properties. As in the vineyard, the wine is hand crafted using traditional methods including a 25% whole bunch indigenous fermentation and hand plunging. Maturation is in French barriques for 11 months, using a mix of older and new (25%) barrels.

Le Chat Noir is a range of modern French wines created by Vincent Charleux. Inspired by the humble village bistro that is at the heart of French culture and cuisine, the Le Chat Noir wines are generous and approachable. The wines are sourced from the Aude Valley, located in the foothills of the Pyrenees south of the famed walled hillside town of Carcassonne. Rising to an altitude of 450 metres, the terraced, low yielding vineyards are cooled by refreshing winds and chilly nights, creating elegant and varietally expressive wines like this Pinot noir.

Nanny Goat Vineyard is the clear leader of the pack when it comes to affordable Central Otago Pinot Noir. Made in a fruit forward style with mounds of fresh berry fruit and intense lifted perfume notes of violet and blueberry. Still medium-bodied on the palate with soft, powdery tannin, this is a Pinot for the moment.

This is a very affordable Pinot from the highly regarded Tarrawarra winery with fruit sourced from the estate and the hills of southern NSW. A well made Pinot with good fruit depth and varietal flavour.