Pinot noir is rarely among the good-value wines - and "good value" in Central Otago terms usually means between $25 and $30! So it's great to find Pick and Shovel, a very drinkable Central Otago Pinot for about $20 in New World supermarkets.
It's from the Alexandra area and made by the Moffitt family whose premium label is Dry Gully.
New to me in this batch of pinots was one from Cheviot in North Canterbury, Mt Beautiful Pinot Noir 2007 (about $33 ***).
It's an easy-drinking wine, with oodles of red plums and a clean finish.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations. charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
(about $25)
From the Rockburn winery, this is bright and oaky, with sweet fruit and a slightly rough finish.
2 stars (out of 5)
Poor value
(about $26)
Plums and other red fruit, spice and a hint of toasty oak make this bright, attractive and very drinkable.
3 stars (out of 5)
Average value
(about $29)
Bright red fruits with a hint of pepper and dried herbs and spicy oak, this is elegant and nicely balanced with a lingering finish.
One of the best from this long-established producer.
4 stars (out of 5)
Good value
(about $30)
A charming pinot, oozing cherries and suggestions of chocolate and toasty, spicy oak, with a savoury hint and lingering finish.
3 stars (out of 5)
Average value
(about $40)
A stylish wine that will benefit from further bottle age, it is bright with hints of plums, chocolate, spice and mint, with a savoury undertone, a firm, tingly finish and long aftertaste.
4 stars (out of 5)
Poor value
