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Newly released pinot noirs at this time of year, tend to be tight and restrained, but swirl themin the glass and allow them a few minutes to open into more generous, integrated wines - orcellar them for several months or even a year or two.
BEST VALUE
$24
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
Attractive with spicy red fruits, a suggestion of mineral, underlying oak and fine-grained tannins. Initially tight but opens after a few minutes in the glass.
wwwwoollaston.co.nz
$28
Three and a half stars
Average value
With 30% new oak this is definitely for lovers of toasty, smoky, spicy, oaky pinots with firm tannins but given time in the glass red fruits - plum and raspberry - and a hint of dried herbs emerge.
$45
Four and a half stars
Good value
At three years old this is beautifully complex with layers of flavour -spicy red fruits, mineral with savoury undertones. It's a big wine, dense but harmonious, still youthful and lively with fine, dusty tannins. Delicious now but will also repay cellaring.
$42
Four stars
Average value
A mouth-filling wine with complex aromas, ripe fruit, a hint of spice, densely flavoured but bright, with a textural finish. Despite being two years old it's youthful with a fresh, lively edge.
foldinghill.co.nz
$22
Three and a half stars
Good value
A fruit bomb, oozing berry, cherry and almost confected flavours, soft and smooth with generous charm and a lively finish. Attractive - a bit like a rosé on steroids.
$22
Three stars
Average value
A lighter pinot noir with hints of cherry plums and herbs, a savoury undertone and a lively edge.
Fresh and simple.
ANOTHER GLASS
Brancott Estate Living Land Series Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012
$29
Three stars
Below average value
Living Land is Brancott's organic label, and this has hints of toasty, savoury, almost funky smokyoak with underlying sweet fruit. Lots of flavour and a fresh finish.
Forrest The Doctors St Laurent Marlborough 2012
$25
Three stars
Below average value
Forrest's second vintage of this relative of pinot noir has lively red fruits, and a suggestion of beetroot, is light in the mouth with a savoury nuance and a dusty, dry finish.