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. www.mountedward.com 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. www.gibbstonvalley.com 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. www.mishasvineyard.com 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. www.maindivide.com 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. www.mora.co.nz 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. www.mora.co.nz
