Two very different categories covered today with a trio of Hawke’s Bay reds from the Trinity Hill stable followed by a trio of pinot noirs. The former cover their three different price tiers. The cheapest — sometimes even sub $20 on promo. The mid-tier GG range, including their tilt at this Spanish variety. Their top level is up there price-wise, but justifiably so. With pinots we have one that fits the bill price-wise for weekday drinking (likely sub $25 on promo), and two Marlborough examples that, in a world of incessant price increases, seem to be holding the line. 2021 Trinity Hill Prison Block Gimblett Gravels cabernet sauvignon Price: $120 Rating: Outstanding Wonderful fragrant, a surge of blackcurrant, smoke, dusty gravels, crushed leaf perfume, draws you back for more, hints of cigar box too. The palate continues the theme, depth of flavour without heaviness. Blackcurrant & tomato leaf notes swell with the cassis fruit, tobacco, deceptive tannins and fresh acidity. Mouthwatering, gorgeous and huge potential. www.trinityhill.com 2022 Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels tempranillo Price: $39.99 Rating: Excellent Ripe fruits leap from the glass, a ‘come hither’ quality, schisty, oak scents, generosity. Again, bold red fruits, ripe yet not overtly sweet, tilled earth notes, baking spices, warmth yet with tangy refreshness reminiscent of greengage plum. Rich and supple mid-palate while that zesty finish keeps it fresh. www.trinityhill.com 2022 Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay merlot Price: $24.99 Rating: Very good to excellent Cassis, plum, cocoa powder, minerality. A medium-bodied frame provides the platform for the sweet fruit & oak to shine, a touch of toasted coconut, developing a grapy aspect with aeration. Fruit to the fore here yet the tingly acidity keeps this lively & bright. Well made and clearly meant to be enjoyed over the next year or two. www.trinityhill.com 2022 Babydoll Central Otago pinot noir Price: $26.50 Rating: Very good to excellent Sweet fruit takes centre stage, strawberry dusted with icing sugar, shifting to berryfruits and tar. Full in the mouth backed by chewy, almost grainy tannins, that backbone of sweet berryfruit and cherry melding with wild herb, adding an almondy bittersweet touch on the close. Savoury with time, very much showing its youthful side, bright, a nice choice with food. www.babydollwines.co.nz 2021 St Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block pinot noir Price: $40 Rating: Excellent to outstanding Leads with an earthy quality, leafy elements, loganberry, roast beetroot, swelling perfume, beguiling subtlety. The palate extends the leafy, herbal theme, an undercurrent of darker fruits and cherry, forest floor like earthiness appearing with a fresh, zesty finish. A delicious, almost lip-smacking aspect adds to the close. Not "in your face", but superb balance. www.saintclair.co.nz 2022 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough pinot noir Price: $28 Rating: Excellent A subtle yet engaging fragrance leads, backed by red fruits, forest floor and herbs. Nicely mouthfilling, riffing on those red fruits, earth, forest floor and spices, ripe yet dry. It’s pale colour deceives as there’s deceptive power here yet it’s all about balance and integration with a lovely, long, long engaging close. Opens up nicely with time, not at all forced but effortless. www.riverbyestate.com
