Pinots from Central for some summer sipping

Many of you will be reading this far from home; baching, visiting family, camping or on a road trip. Certainly, you’ll be far from your usual stockists of pinot noir, although options to try something from the local area may well present themselves.

If you are eager to scratch the "Central" itch you may find success with a number of these "value" or "entry level" offerings, often made in larger volumes which makes them more accessible to the supers and larger liquor store chains, while their price points make them very affordable options for restaurants. Moreover, they’re made to be drinkable in their youth which is absolutely what’s going to happen when you’re on the road. Enjoy!

2022 Ted by Mount Edward Central Otago Pinot Noir 

 
Price RRP $38
Rating Excellent
 
There’s an element 
of wildness initially, 
forest floor, earthy 
touches shifting to 
wisps of oak spices 
and perfume. Nice 
volume in the 
mouth, accentuating 
raspberry  and red 
berryfruits. There’s a 
bright juiciness to 
this, flowing to good 
tannic grip on the 
dry finish. More 
serious than many 
at its price and 
rather engaging.
 
 

2022 Gibbston Valley Gold River Central Otago Pinot Noir

 
Price RRP $30
Rating Very Good to Excellent
 
Bright fruit to the fore, 
hints of wood smoke 
and spice in addition. 
Nice balance and 
integration, good fruit 
weight and it’s all 
about the sheer 
drinkability. Flows 
nicely across the 
palate, garnering an 
appealing vibrancy as 
it opens up. True to 
its Central Otago 
origins and very 
much in the slot to 
enjoy now.
 
 

2022 Misha’s Vineyard Tempo Central Otago Pinot Noir 

 
Price RRP $30
Rating Very Good to Excellent
 
Opens with earthy/
tilled earth-like 
notes, a beguiling 
perfume entering the 
fray, mixed red and 
darker fruits. Again 
that melange of red 
and dark fruits, fruit 
sweetness building 
as it takes on air. 
Firm tannins come 
into play now giving 
some real, chewy 
grip, while a 
 bittersweet touch 
comes through 
refreshing the finish.
 
 

2022 Main Divide by Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Pinot Noir 

 
Price RRP $26.99
Rating Very Good to Excellent
 
Smoke and bonfire 
embers, dusty, 
darker fruits coming 
though before a 
delightful perfume 
evolves. Vibrant. 
Great fruit in  the 
mouth, neatly 
balanced by some 
tannic grip: this has 
drinkability writ large 
on it. A touch of 
firmness develops 
as it takes on air, 
adding to the food-
friendliness.
 
 

2023 Rua Central Otago Pinot Noir

 
Price RRP $26.99-$29.99
Rating Excellent
 
Youthful fruit 
drivesthe nose — 
cherry, spices, a 
touch of nuttiness, 
fragrance building, a 
wee touch of oak 
char, feels fresh and 
vibrant. Generous in 
the mouth, lovely ripe 
fruit, savoury notes 
adding to the whole, 
good length. A lovely 
sense of tension to 
this, fleshing out 
while also showing 
more tannic grip with 
aeration. Well done at 
this price point.
 
 

2024 Mora Laeto Central Otago Pinot Noir

 
Price RRP $35
Rating Very Good to Excellent
 
Nuts and cocoa nib, 
dustiness, raspberry 
hints. Tasted blind, 
this has a different 
mouthfeel to wines 
tried alongside it, 
sweetly fruited, 
raspberry drops, 
cashew nut, good 
flavour depth with a 
nice touch of 
chewiness on the 
close. That fruit 
sweetness could 
translate well to 
being drunk on the 
cooler side.
 

 

Seasons - By Alison Lambert  - Available for purchase now!

The Otago Daily Times and Alison have collaborated to bring you her first cookbook – Seasons.  

This book is the ultimate year-round cookbook. Seasons is filled with versatile recipes designed to inspire creativity in the kitchen, offering plenty of ideas for delicious accompaniments and standout dishes that highlight the best of what each season has to offer.  

 

$49.99 each. Purchase here.

$44.99 for ODT subscribers. Get your discount code here.