Some good value pinot noir turned up in this tasting, easy to drink, lively but not green or unripe, and often with red fruits and a hint of spicy oak - not bad for $20-25.
BEST VALUE
$22
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
Savoury undertones with hints of mushrooms and forest floor harmonise with red fruits and spice in this concentrated, silky-textured, well structured wine. Mature and drinking nicely now but not for long keeping.
$21 and often discounted
Three stars
Good value
Red fruits with a hint of spicy oak, savoury undertones, a tingly edge and firm, lively finish. A lighter style of wine, but well structured.
$25
Three and-a-half stars
Good value
This silky wine from the Gibbston Back Road, hints of red fruit and beeswax, the savoury, spicy undertone giving some complexity. Drinking nicely.
$26
Three and-a-half stars
Good value
This long established producer is always reliable, and the 09 pinot with juicy hints of cherry plum, licorice, and bush aromas, is a lighter style with a lively edge and long, crisp finish.
$36
Three stars
Below average value
A mature wine with hints of cherry plums and spice, savoury and mineral undertones, light but mellow and textural with a bright edge and crisp acidity.
$44
Four stars
Average value
A stylish wine, rich and mouthfilling with fleshy ripe red fruit underpinned by savoury, spicy, toasty oak, textural, concentrated and harmonious with a long lively finish.
ANOTHER GLASS
Opawa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010
$29
Three stars
Below average value
A light wine with edgy hints of pepper, compost and herbs, plums and spice, it is simple, lively and easy to drink.
Te Mania Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2009
$35
Four stars
Good value
Warm and spicy with oodles of red fruit, toasty oak, a hint of mineral with a dark, savoury undercurrent and a long, textural finish. This is characterful and charmingly assertive.
Auntsfield Heritage Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007
$75
Four stars
Below average value
Made only in exceptional years, Auntsfield's Heritage label celebrates one of the earliest vineyards in Marlborough which produced wine from the 1880s to the early 1930s. A few drops from one of the original bottles have been included in this wine. The vineyard was re-established in 1999 and Auntsfield now produces some fine wines. This is dense with hints of ripe plum, mineral and spicy oak, finely structured, concentrated and powerful with a lively, lip-smacking 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
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.
