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.

Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Deep dark red core with black tinged edges and a dark red hue. Spicy red to dark cherry aromas mix with hints of stalky cedar, earth and meaty notes. On the palate generous dark cherry fruits are intertwined with strawberry, earth, spicy dried meat characters and dried herbs. Good flesh with slightly grainy tannins and a savoury medium length conclusion. Drink over the next 3-4 years. Alc. 13.5%

Yabby Lake's 'no expense spared' approach to viticulture and winemaking, is amply demonstrated in this super Pinot; fresh and fruity with secondary nuances, will please all Pinot lovers on a budget.

There is a delicate perfume of Kirsch and dried strawberry with underlying dried bouquet garni. This is a light to medium-bodied wine with a supple yet generously flavoured palate.

Grove Mill Pinot Noir is rich ruby red in colour, with a nose full of dark cherry and boysenberry and a touch of spice. A savoury complexity and a smooth finish make it the perfect match for barbequed meat with a roast beetroot salad.

Dog Point is responsible for some of Marlborough's best Pinot noir. This release has lifted aromas of dark cherries stone fruit and violets. The palate is rich and complex with a supple velvety texture.

Devil's Corner Resolution Pinot Noir is a full bodied style of Pinot Noir showing blackberry, sour cherry and hints of cedar from the quality French oak. The wine displays a juicy fruit driven middle palate with a crisp savoury texture and fine grained tannins. Given the wines depth and structure it is well worth putting some away in the cellar and looking at it again in 5 to 8 years.

The Main Divide Pinot Noir shows aromas and flavours of cherries and red berry fruits with impressions of raspberries, mulberries and blackberries. There are also savoury hints of grilled mushrooms, black olives and roast game. Ripe fine grained tannins give it structure and length, but these are covered with a velvety robe, leaving impressions of dark chocolate and spice. While drinking beautifully now, it will continue to develop over the next few years in bottle.

Central Otago Pinot's are generally more user-friendly than Burgundy; Rabbit Ranch is very soft fruit-forward style with soft tannins; best enjoyed young.

Dedicated solely to perfecting the variety, Black Grape Society have come mightily close to Pinot perfection with this Cromwell Basin sourced beauty. Deep and rich in flavour and colour, the juicy plum, cherry and blackberry palate make way for a ripe savoury finish.

This wine has an intriguing, bright garnet hue, captivating on the nose with ripe cherry, wild strawberries and bramble notes. On the palate, the wine is rich and flowing with tantalising bready sweetness. Rich boysenberry flavours are supported by elegant French oak, lending spice and toasty notes. The finish is lingering and complex, bright with natural acidity.