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.

The grapes for the wines that carry the Mt Difficulty Bannockburn label are subject to two strict criteria: they are managed under the umbrella of the Mt Difficulty viticultural team and must be sourced from vineyards situated on the South side of the Kawarau River at Bannockburn. This Pinot noir displays lovely elegance and flow with striking precision and clarity. On the palate it kicks off with a supple dark berry entry, moving into a beautifully textured plush mid palate, after which fine elegant textural tannins frame fruit and acidity on a lengthy finish.

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.

Organically grown grapes from Tasmania have yielded a complex Pinot Noir with dried strawberry fruit characters and a satisfying savoury palate. Elegant and enjoyable Pinot from an up and coming producer!

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.

Remarkable in name and remarkable in nature. Hailing from the young, funky and cool region of Central Otago this Pinot Noir shows all the cherry richness we've come to expect. Add in the sheer approachability courtesy of the smattering of strawberry and red berry flavours and the silken, soft finish and you have an Otago bargain that is a must try.

Scotchman's Hill's second label often throws up some terrific value for money. A beautiful spicy nose with cinnamon and clove elements, supported by cherry flavours and grippy tannins.

Martinborough is considered by many as the home of Pinot Noir - not only in New Zealand but the 'New World' in general. It is hard to argue when wines like this are produced. Pinot Noir superstar, Larry McKenna, hand-crafts a wine that is overflowing with perfumed black, red and green fruit flavours that are all in harmony with the mid-weighted palate. Textured oak and fine-grained tannin give a nod to the fact that this wine will age gracefully for a decade or more. A stunning benchmark.

The Yarra Yering Pinot Noir is produced from what are amongst the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Yarra Valley. Always aristocratic, fragrant with intense aromas of sweet strawberry and ripe plums, the Yarra Yering Pinot rounds out with mouthfilling notes of the same with a length hard to ignore.

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.