Today's collection rounds up a number of Otago Pinot Noirs tasted over a couple of sessions that have been waiting for their moment in the sun. They cover a raft of vintages from the memorably hot 2018, the quite cool 2020, warm 2021 to the cooler 2019, but one clear takeaway from them is that good wines can be made in any year. I can be as guilty as any of falling for the perceived "great years", but sensitivity in the vineyard and the winery can lead to great wines in any year. 2021 Wild Irishman Three Colleens Gibbston Pinot Noir Price RRP $109 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Bonfire smoke, oak spices, red fruits to the fore, raspberry, hints of violetty perfume. Engaging coolness & freshness a core, the fruit joined by flecks of spice, wild herb and rhubarb. Elegant, great balance, depth of flavour yet light on its feet. There’s youthfulness to this, yet so nicely integrated that it already appeals. The growing tannins show intent for the future. www.kinross.nz 2021 Wild Irishman Doctors Flat Vineyard Bannockburn Pinot Noir Price RRP $79 Rating Outstanding Boldly fragrant nose, spice & savoury nuances initially, a hint of funk/saddle leather, fruit in support. Ripely fruited, berry compote, raspberry, charcuterie and wild herbs, stony minerality that adds an almost tingly quality. Deeper, richer, a depth of fruit that speaks of potential yet already drinkable. Lots to enjoy, shows its inherent class. www.kinross.nz 2020 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Pinot Noir Price RRP $85 Rating Excellent A sense of some development here. Lovely cedary perfume, cigar box, earthy touches, wisps of forest floor, the nose drawing you in. A cool vein running through this, bright, vibrant, sweetly fruited yet savoury, chewy tannins providing backbone but not intruding. Complex, interesting, flavours hanging on the close, this really works as a whole. www.valliwine.com 2019 Providore P-Series White Label Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $69 Rating Excellent Perfume & spice set the tone, elegance, a sense of delicacy. The palate is drier, tauter, more structured at first, developing silkiness as it opens up. Excellent depth of flavour and interest, but more about intent for the future rather than immediacy. The nose grows in power, adding earthy touches, extra chewiness to the texture also evident. www.providorewines.com 2019 Providore P-Series Black Label Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $69 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Attractive fragrance, intrigue here too, earth, herbs, black tea, fruit in the wings, subtlety. Starts on a silky path before the tannins kick in providing chew and grip, black tea again and an almost bitter sweet quality. Solid backbone with fine drying tannins fram ing the close. Power yet vibrancy, growing nicely with all elements in place. www.providorewines.com 2021 Carrick Billet Doux Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $36 Rating Excellent Youthfully bold, the fruit bursts from the glass alongside a little wildness, forest floor and tea leaf, raspberry compote later. Bright, vibrant palate with cardamom, raspberry and a little toffee/caramel nuance on the close. The acidity adds a refreshing tanginess that gets the salivary juices going. Nice energy and purity. A lot of ingredient to enjoy now. www.carrick.co.nz 2019 Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $40 Rating Excellent Smoke & incense, earth, savoury aspects coming into play, wisps of charry oak, backed by fruit. Lovely depth, fruit filling the mouth, matched by bright acidity giving this lift and vibrancy, while an element of sun on warm leather adds a savoury aspect. Delicious drinkability, the underlying structure brings a crunchy quality to the close. Nicely juicy. www.penkridgefarm.co.nz 2018 Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $40 Rating Excellent Lovely florality here, old roses, violets, earthy nuances, dried herbs, the fruit nicely integrated. The palate echoes the nose gaining notes of sun on hot bricks, spices and savoury notes while further aeration brings hints of leather & mushroom. Beginning to show some development and while there’s still good grip here, it’s ready to be enjoyed. www.penkridgefarm.co.nz
