Christmas has come rushing towards me at breakneck speed: I had an idea in my mind that I had a few Wednesday columns to introduce you all to new wines, only to realise crikey, that’s not the case! Pertinent then for the final column before Christmas to focus on Central Pinot Noir. Whether for gifting, or simply for luxuriating in at some point over the festive season these local wines will definitely cut the mustard. Finally, thanks for reading the column this year. I hope that Santa is kind to you and that 2024 is full of good times and good wine! Cheers - Mark. 2020 Maude Poison Creek Queensbury Pinot Noir Price RRP $50 Rating Excellent A sense of richness, savoury, tilled earth, darker fruits. Ripe sweet fruit nicely contrasted by the savoury qualities, the palate takes me to Central, a richness and depth of flavour. Heart on its sleeve generosity, open and drinking very nicely. Nice vibrancy, the tannins and acidity bring both a drying aspect and tingly freshness to the long fruit-filled close. www.maudewines.com 2021 Misha’s Vineyard Cantata Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $34 Rating Very Good to Excellent A whisper more shy on the nose, mixed berries and wisps of perfume as it opens, earth and fragrant herbs later. Crunchy, grainy texture offering a cooler feel to the fruit, cranberry and red fruits with a dash of dried herbs and a fine core of acidity. An elegant style you shouldn’t overlook, with freshness and purity, fleshing out nicely with air. www.mishasvineyard.com 2022 Ruru Alexandra Pinot Noir Price RRP $28 Rating Excellent Finer rather than a bruiser, teasing hints of forest floor/fungi, a stony mineral quality, fruit swelling, balsamico and brooding later. Initial fruit sweetness moves to a drier spectrum with dried fruits, spice and savoury notes. That lovely umami quality runs through the wine. There’s a youthful tautness here, a finer style, yet lots of interest evident as it takes on air. www.ruruwines.co.nz 2021 Domain Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir Price RRP $42 Rating Excellent Bold, fragrant nose, oak spices, then lead pencil, earthiness, savoury notes, dark fruits. Ripely fruited, cherry, raspberry, summer berries with a corset of chewy tannins accentuating the structure. The fruit speaks of Central, spice and savoury qualities, a lip- smacking close. Those powerful tannins bring a bittersweet quality and really power the wine forward. www.domainroad.co.nz 2021 Maude Kids Block Wanaka Pinot Noir Price RRP $55 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Brooding nose, a sense of structure yet pinosity too, graphite, riverstones, wisps of herb, fragrance, fruit supporting the whole. Silky, creamy entry, richness and great flavour depth while retaining a lightness of touch, super fine tannins, layers of flavour offering more with each sip. Lovely balance and integration, wonderful length, a lovely umami quality too. www.maudewines.com 2022 Mondillo Bendigo Pinot Noir Price RRP $51 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Fragrant, sweetly fruited on first sniff, moving to elegance, a dusty quality, spice and savoury notes, wet stone later. Obvious flavour depth underpinning this, yet refinement too, berry compote, a schisty minerality, spices, framed by fine tannins adding to the long, fruit- filled close. Drinkability already due to its super balance, yet plenty of gas in the tank for the future. www.mondillo.com
