Happy NZ Pinot Noir Day 2024 Everyone – I hope you have a couple of nice bottles of NZ Pinot Noir to celebrate with today – I’ve reviewed a few really excellent examples of New Zealand Pinot this year – Here are my top five so far in no particular order.
Ayrburn ‘Ten Acre Pinot Noir 2022, Central Otago NZ
Deep translucent cherry to ruby red in colour, paler at the rim. Inviting & fragrant nose of dark plum, cherry & red berry aromas, warm mixed spices & some wee choccy notes. On the palate, it’s really fruit driven, with juicy plum, cherry & red berry flavours, fine powdery tannins & bright acidity all well integrated with fine toasty oak. Beautifully textured, with a long bone dry & concentrated fruit finish. Excellent. Double Gold at the 2023 NZIWS. 14.3% RRP: $90.00 https://ayrburn.com/
Rockburn Wines Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago NZ
Deep ruby red / black cherry in colour to the rim, slightly transparent, medium bodied. Wonderfully fragrant nose of ripe dark plums, summer cherries & warm spices. A concentrated palate presents flavours of dark plums, cherries, chocolate, a subtle savoury/earth note, & toasty barrel spice. Well integrated acidity / silky tannins. The finish is dry long & memorable, with much depth & complexity, Excellent. 13.0% RRP: $49.00 https://www.rockburn.co.nz/
Folding Hill ‘Cellar Release’ Pinot Noir 2014, Bendigo, Central Otago NZ
Deep cherry red – garnet in colour, showing a hint of age at the rim. The nose is subtle at first but after a good swirl in the glass, aromas of plum, cherry & dark berry, savoury, smoky, dried herb & barrel spice. On the palate, juicy stewed plums, dark cherry & red berry fruit flavours are perfectly integrated with smooth tannins, a refreshing acid backbone & smoky, spicy oak – complex, textured, & elegant wine with a long, off dry & very generous finish. An exceptional Central Otago Pinot Noir. RRP: $85.00 Available only to Folding Hill Cellar Club Members. https://www.foldinghill.co.nz/
Folding Hill ‘Orchard Block’ Pinot Noir 2020, Bendigo, Central Otago NZ
Dark cherry red – garnet in colour, lighter at the rim. In the nose, sweet red & dark berry fruit aromas, savoury earthy notes, dried herb, a little spice & vanilla-wine biscuit. On the palate there’s juicy blackberry, blueberry, & raspberry fruit flavours, medium bodied & textured with layers of silky tannins, bright acidity, more savoury dried herb, toasty oak spice and a long, bone dry finish. A powerful & complex expression of Central Otago Pinot. Outstanding! RRP: $65.00 https://www.foldinghill.co.nz/
The Elder Pinot, Pinot Noir 2019, Martinborough NZ
Dark cherry red in colour just starting to show a little brick at the rim, ample bodied wine. Intense, fragrant nose of cherry & dark berry aromas, choccy, espresso & spice notes, savoury earth. Succulent, concentrated palate with cherry, plum & dark berry fruit flavours under-pinned with silky tannins & medium acidity, savoury earth & baking spice, warmth from 14% ABV. A long memorable full-flavoured finish. 4 x Pinot Noir clones, 10 months on lees in French oak, 3 – 4 years in bottle before release. Outstanding Pinot well worth cellaring for at least 5 to 10 years! RRP:$75.00 https://www.theelderpinot.com/