It's worth giving pinot noir time. A young wine may initially appear gawky, but the following day may have developed charm and silkiness, indicating it will develop with bottle age.
BEST VALUE
$30
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Fragrant with hints of herbs, spice and sweet red fruits supported by lots of toasty oak.A silky texture with fine-grained tannins and a firm finish. Good drinking now and probably for another four to five years.
$40
Four stars
Average value
Aromatic, with oodles of sweet, ripe red berries, darker, savoury, spicy, toasty undertones and an underlying firm structure all but hidden by the lush fruit. It's youthful and lively and it should continue to develop for probably six to eight years.
$44
Three and a half stars
Below average value
A serious wine hinting of dried herbs, lively raspberries and other red fruits, with a suggestion of spice, well-structured, firm, dusty tannins and a dry, crisp finish. Will benefit from bottle age.
$45
Four stars
Average value
With lively suggestions of plums and juicy red fruits, hints of spice, dried herbs and savoury undertones, this is a promising young wine with a silky texture, mouthfilling persistence and a fresh, lively finish. It will develop more harmony and integration over the next five to eight years.
$45
Four stars
Average value
A powerful, concentrated young wine, lively and textural with suggestions of dark cherries, spices, slightly smoky, toasty oak, savoury undertones and a hint of newly sawn timber. It finishes with supple, dusty tannins and a long aftertaste. Drinking well now but will develop over five to eight years.www.carrick.co.nz
$84
Four and a half stars
Average value
A dense, concentrated wine with sweet, lush, dark fruit and spices, hints of new leather and dark chocolate, supported by lots of toasty oak but held in check by a firm, lively backbone and supple tannins. Silky, stylish and delicious now but will mellow and integrate with several years' bottle age.
