DOMAINE MICHELE & PATRICE RION Vieilles Vignes, Nuits-St-Georges

This has the intensity and depth of flavour the Central Otago region is becoming renowned for. Mocha spice, blood plums and dark cherry characters with a seamless, silky texture and fine tannins that will see this develop for several years yet. 'Making good use of the Gibbston, Lowburn and Bendigo sub-regions of Central Otago, this readily available, quality pinot noir is medium-bodied with rhubarb and cranberry fruit. These silky-on-palate fruit aspects are lifted with hints of graphite minerals.' - 92 Points, Courier Mail, Brisbane, 14 Sep 2013, by Alan Hunter.

The unique terroir consisting of ancient stony soils allow the premier Pinot Noirs from Craggy Range to ripen gradually while still retaining perfect acid balance. This is on show perfectly in the Te Muna Road Pinot Noir that is sourced from the higher terrace on the Te Muna Road Estate which is planted with eight clones of Pinot in more than 40 different parcels. From this eclectic bunch the grapes are hand-picked and fermented naturally before spending eight months in French oak. The result is a Pinot of class and structure; dark and brooding with a texture not dissimilar to silk.

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.

Rudi Bauer is part of the reason Central Otago is on the Pinot Wine Map so prominently. His Pinot's show great depth of colour with aromas of forest floor, earth and mouth filling flavours of berry and cherry fruits.

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.

Stonier are the pioneers of the premium region that is the Mornington Peninsula. This outstanding Pinot Noir displays pure elegance and complexity. Dark cherry fruit flavours are balanced by gamey undertones and a savoury finish.

Tightly structured and made for the long haul. Freycinet Pinot Noir has the classic dark cherries and forest berries aroma with balanced acidity on the palate.

Tricia Byrnes and Kevin Bell from Hurley first planted vines at their Balnarring property in 1998 with the sole intention of creating three single vineyard pinot noirs. Their philosophy centres around respect of the environment as they see their most important role is viticulture. This is a luscious wine, smelling intensely of blueberries, dark plums, earth and cake spice. The palate is full and smooth with many layers of complexity enveloped in a rich, creamy texture. Ripe and generous but very well balanced, this is a classic Lodestone from an excellent vintage. As with the others, the oak here is classy and judicious.

A complex wine with superb fruit intensity and structure, Bass Phillips Estate Pinot Noir displays vibrant red berry fruit and layers of earthy, minerally complexity that unfurl and evolve over time.