Starting the Pinot ball rolling is a group from Marlborough and Canterbury that offered plenty of highlights.
Given the dominance of Central Otago wines on Dunedin shelves they can be hard to find, but are worth the effort.
Vergence Red Mk II by Pegasus Bay
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
A sense of richness,
smoke, toast, berry
coulis, wisps of toffee,
humus with time,
rather engaging.
Mouthfilling, rich yet
elegant too, delightful
texture with a core of
fine, ripe tannins and
refreshing acidity.
Ripely fruited, melding
raspberry, cherry and
mixed berries, closing
with some cedary oak.
Lots going on,
excellent integration,
the finish enlivened by
tangy brightness.
2016 Saint Clair Omaka Springs Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
The colour shows
some age. Touches of
leather and herbs,
wisps of spice and
florals, a beguiling
subtlety. The fruit leads
the palate, red fruits to
the fore, paired with
spices, earthy notes
and a meaty, savoury
quality offering lovely
complexity flowing to
an appealingly dry
close. Deceptive tannic
grip suggests this will
travel on, but it’s super
now.
2021 Main Divide Te Hau Reserve North Canterbury Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Fascinatingly wild nose,
oak touches, the fruit
bubbling up to meet it,
developing spice and
florals. Richly fruited,
vibrant and lively,
there’s a juiciness here
and crunchy acidity that
makes this super
appealing. An attractive
spiciness grows with
aeration, wisps of
graphite too. This draws
you back for more.
Firms up a little on the
close; the best still to
come.
2019 Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Sweetly fragrant lifted
nose, pencil shavings,
the fruit comes in
waves, spices, a
primary quality.
Youthfully bright and
chewy, black tea,
spices, raspberry, the
flavours hang in the
mouth, leading to an
appealingly dry finish.
Grows in elegance as
it opens up, simply an
engaging pinot. The
tannic backbone
builds as it opens;
appealing now but
should kick on too.
2019 Saint Clair Omaka Springs Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Bonfire smoke, tilled
earth, sweetly red-
fruited, developing
gorgeous perfume over
time. A crunchy aspect
to the texture adds to
the vibrancy, and while
there’s clearly tannic
structure underpinning
this it already feels
quite open and
approachable for
business, ready to be
enjoyed. I wonder if it
may be hiding its
qualities under a
bushel?
2021 Rapaura Springs Rohe – Awatere Valley Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Fascinating nose,
oyster, humus,
wisps of salinity
sashaying into
sweet berry fruits
and pencil lead. Nice
volume. Very
appealing palate, a
silkiness upfront,
flitting between
berry fruit and
spices. Nice energy
and vibrancy here,
the bright acidity
brings youthful
freshness, along
with some crunchy
tannins. Lovely
balance here and approachability.
2017 Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Colour shows some
age. Perfumed
florals, dried herbs,
an earthy/stony
aspect, subtlety.
Sweet fruits meld
with caramel notes,
while wisps of leather
highlight the savoury
qualities. This grows
rather nicely in the
glass, the finish
lengthening adding
some zesty
freshness on the
close. This feels in
the slot to enjoy now.
2021 Rapaura Springs Rohe – Southern Valleys Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Carey elements, hints
of funk, spices,
growing perfume.
There’s a youthful
tautness here, mixing
red and dark fruits,
black tea and spices,
beginning to open out
as it takes on some air.
The sweet fruit comes
on more and more and
there’s an attractive
brashness that
promises well for the
future. Still young, so
pair with food and give
it air time.
