Central Otago may have a distinctive style of pinot noir, but fine pinots also come from elsewhere as these Waipara and Marlborough wines demonstrate.
BEST VALUE
$24.50
Three stars
Average value
Immediately attractive with soft, ripe berry fruit, spicy oak with hints of chocolate and coffee, a lively edge and tingly finish. Easy and charming.
$33
Four stars
Average value
Restrained when first opened, this eventually revealed generous, concentrated fruit with underlying savoury, spicy oak, and became a delicious, harmonious, wine with a long aftertaste.
$33
Four stars
Average value
Attractive with hints of spice, chocolate and dark cherries, this is a dense, concentrated wine with underlying power gently held in restraint and a long aftertaste.
$35
Four stars
Average value
An attractive wine oozing ripe berries, plums and toasty, spicy oak, a hint of mineral, generous mouthfeel, silky texture and long, savoury aftertaste.
$45
Five stars
Average value
This kept getting better over a few days indicating its potential for development. Seductive yet concentrated dark, spicy fruit, generosity and rich texture are supported by a firm structure and delicious, stylish finish.
$44
Three stars
Below average value
This begs for another year or so's bottle age to allow the savoury, edgy red fruits, underlying hints of toffee and spicy oak and tight texture to mellow and develop.
ANOTHER GLASS
Opawa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009
$29
Two-and-a-half stars
Below average value
A light pinot, with hints of cherries and dried herbs, simple, clean and crisp.
Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007
$61
four-and-a-half stars
Average value
Aromatic and dense with red and dark fruits, supported by savoury undertones and generous oak, this is stylish and textural, its powerful structure cushioned by velvety fruit, and a firm, dry finish.A fine Marlborough pinot, this has the potential to develop over several
years.
• 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
Two stars - simple, clean, enjoyable wine; three stars - good wine with varietal characteristics; four stars - very good wine with some outstanding characteristics; five stars - outstanding wine with balance and harmony that leaves you with a sense of wonder.
