Pinot noir can vary hugely in price, from simple, fruity
light reds for less than $20 that you toss back with friends,
to expensive, complex single vineyard wines meticulously made
from low-cropped grapes for concentrated flavour and subtle
nuances, which you want to savour and think about, and which
will develop further complexity with bottle age.
BEST UNDER $20
Takutai Nelson Pinot Noir 2011
$17
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Attractive red fruits with a hint of mineral, spice and
toasty oak, and a crisp finish.
www.waimeabrands.com
Waimea Nelson Pinot Noir 2011
$25
Three and a half stars
Average value
Spicy red fruits hinting of cherry plums, dark toffee and a
suggestion of new leather, supported by lots of spicy oak and
finishing with an attractive aftertaste.
www.waimeabrands.co.nz
Ara Single Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011
$25
Three and a half stars
Average value
A perfumed wine that takes a few minutes to open, revealing
juicy fruit with spicy, savoury undertones with hints of
cheese and game, firm, dusty tannins and a well-balanced,
longdry finish.
www.arawines.com
Rippon Jeunesse Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
$39
Four stars
Average value
Made from fruit from younger vines, this wine is perfumed
with lively red fruits - berriesand plums, with darker,
savoury undertones, spicy oak and a crisp, textural.
well-structured,finish.
www.rippon.co.nz
Rippon Emma's Block Central Otago 2010
$82
Four and a half stars
Below average value
A charming wine, more complex than the Jeunesse, this is from
an east-facing block on Rippon's Wanaka vineyard. With spicy
red fruits - plums, cherries, hints of mineral and toffee,
darker, savoury undertones and a suggestion of dark
chocolate, it's concentrated but beautifully balanced and
harmonious with a firm but supple structure and long
aftertaste.
www.rippon.co.nz
Rockburn The Art Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
$90
Four and a half stars
Below average value
From a vineyard on slopes above Bannockburn, this is a
seductive, stylish wine, complex with mouth-filling ripe red
and dark fruits supported, but not dominated by spicy oak, a
silky texture, savoury undertones, and fine-grained tannins.
Charming and harmonious now, but should develop over several
years.
www.rockburn.co.nz
ANOTHER GLASS
Rippon Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
$55
Four stars
Below average value
Made from fruit from mature vines on Rippon's Wanaka
vineyard, this is perfumed with aromas hinting of cherries
and a suggestion of beetroot. It's juicy, lively and
mouth-filling supported by toasty oak, with spicy savoury
notes with an attractive textural, dry finish.
Harmonious and will develop with bottle age.
www.rippon.co.nz
Rippon Tinkers Field Pinot Noir 2010
$95
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Below average value
A big wine from a block on Rippon's Wanaka vineyard, this is
concentrated with lots of juicy fruit with darker undertones
- spice, dark chocolate, savoury. It's textural and powerful
witha lively complexity and dry tannins, but nevertheless
surprisingly harmonious and charming.
www.rippon.co.nz
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