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“Big Barrel’ refers to Steve’s unique roll fermentation method in big, 1000 litre French oak fudres. This results in agentle extraction of colour and tannins from the grapes and gives the wine’s magnificent texture. The picturesque hillside site in Marlborough’s Southern Whither Hill where the grapes for this wine are grown is a true hidden gem; a tiny block that's just right for a family operation like Steve Bird Wines. Here, it has produced a genuinely impressive Pinot Noir with earthy, spicy notes in support of the rich, dark-fruit aromas. On the palate it is deeply flavoured and lushly textured with supple, silky tannins. This is a superb partner for crispy duck breast. Variety: 100 percent Pinot Noir

A classic Fromm Vineyard Pinot Noir, a multi-layered wine, very concentrated without appearing big or heavy, with positive tannin support. At its best it shows a masculine charm with a distinct terroir-related identity, aging superbly.

Fromm's passion for Pinot Noir is reflected in the attention to detail shown in the vineyard and throughout the winemaking process. Carefully selected clones and rootstocks, together with intensive vineyard care and low cropping, means the vines produce fruit that illustrates the terroir in which they were grown. Today in the Fromm stable of vineyards there are eleven clones, 4000 - 5000 vines per hectare, with crop levels around five to six tonnes per hectare. The blend which makes up each years La Strada Pinot Noir by Fromm depends on what nature has given in each of their vineyards. Invariably, the wine is strongly varietal, fruity and has immediate appeal.

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.

Ten Minutes by Tractor continues to be one of the true stars of the Mornington Peninsula all the way from the single vineyard wines to the regional 10X wines. Always a Pinot of utmost power with dense, dark, brooding fruit typical of the region with the great savoury balance that is evident in great examples of the variety.

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.

Kendall-Jackson from the Sonoma County, just north of San Francisco, make a delicious Pinot Noir that has iIntense strawberry/black cherry/smoky/herb garden aromas and flavours with soft fleshy textures and underlying savoury/toasty oak.

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.

Musk Creek Pinot Noir is evolving slowly to open up to its full potential. Some spearmint, raspberry and spice aroma; palate is moderate weight, silky and fine natural acid.

In the glass: Vibrant mid-red. On the nose: Sweet cherry and raspberry fruit with notes of stalk and spice - so beautifully perfumed. On the palate: Vibrant and fresh, supple and juicy with ripe cherry and plum varietals, subtle stalky complexity, warm earthy notes, nicely integrted vanillin oak and savoury persistence. A complete wine - powerful yet refined, complex and layered with full Pinot Noir charm on show.