WINE REVIEWS: Pinot Noir

There are a few brands of wine that regularly offer great value. Main Divide wines, with their ripe fruit, complexity and texture, from the award-winning Pegasus Bay winery in Wairarapa north of Christchurch, is one of them.

 

BEST VALUE

Main Divide Waipara Pinot Noir 2011

$25

Four stars (out of five)

Good value

Generous ripe fruit with savoury, spicy undertones, rich, flavoursome and well structured with fine grained tannins. Satisfying.

www.maindivide.com

 

 

 

 

Ara Single Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012

$25

Three stars

Average value

Light red fruits with a vegetal edge, underlying hints of licorice, spice and charred oak, and a dusty, fruity finish. A lighter style of wine.

www.arawines.com

 

 

 

 

Devil's Staircase Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013

$29

Three stars

Below average value

Light in the mouth with hints of cherry and spicy fruit, underlying nuances of mineral and licorice and a simple, crisp finish. This is unoaked pinot noir.

www.rockburn.co.nz

 

 

 

 

Odyssey Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011

$32

Four stars

Good value

With hints of cherries, spice and mineral, this is mouth-filling with layers of complexity, well structured with subtle supporting oak and fine-grained tannins it is delicious.

www.odysseywines.co.nz

 

 

 

 

Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011

$39

Four stars

Average value

This took a while in the glass to reveal its fruit, savoury licorice undertones and hints of new leather, but its structure, fresh, firm finish and a long satisfying aftertaste indicate it will develop over a year or two.

www.domainroad.co.nz

 

 

 

 

Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012

$60

Four and a half stars

Average value

A youthful wine, just starting to reveal its charms - dark, spicy fruit, with rich savoury undertones, a firm structure with fruit weight and a stylish, elegant finish. Give it another few years to develop its potential.

www.burncottage.com

 

 

 

 

ANOTHER GLASS

Ara Pathway Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012

$22

Three stars

Average value

A light wine with hints of charred oak, cherry plums, pine needles and raw timber, and a lively edge. Best served slightly chilled.

www.arawines.com

 

 

 

Ara Select Blocks Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012

$30

Three and a half stars

Average value

A lively wine, with hints of elderberry and edgy red fruits, savoury suggestions, but concentrated and textural with a crisp, lively finish.

www.arawines.com

 

 

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