Another bout of Pinot Noirs from Central today, covering three distinct price ranges: two in the $30s, two in the $50s and two in the $75-$80 bracket. In the off-premise (wine retail) market $20 to say $35 is the bread and butter price point for regular enjoyment. $45 to $60 sees a great deal of the ‘‘estate’’ labels offering added depth and complexity. Above that price we are into more rarefied air: wineries with high reputations and track records along with very limited releases like our first two today. To each their own. 2021 Carrick The Magnetic Bannockburn Pinot Noir Price RRP $80 Rating Outstanding Powerful fragrance, woodsmoke, gunflint, dustiness, parting as the fruit blossoms, while a humus/forest floor note joins the party. Silky entry, mouthfilling, ripe yet not overtly sweet fruit, a delightfully fresh, dry palate with a touch of juicy piquancy. Balance, integration, great depth of flavour yet light on its feet, feels unforced. Youthful, super potential. www.carrick.co.nz 2019 Domaine Thomson Rows 1-37 Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $75 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Earth & old roses, hints of spice, a little more reticent before it begins to reveal its secrets. Cool, fresh red fruits, ripe cranberry, juiciness & vibrancy in the mouth with powerful black tea like tannins framing the long, dry finish. Aeration accentuates that lovely juiciness and freshness as the wine begins to unfurl. Long, long finish. www.domainethomsonwines.com 2019 Domaine Thomson Surveyor Thomson Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $55 Rating Excellent Fragrant herbs (almost lavender), ripe fruit, a whisker of pencil lead, gorgeous perfume building. Pinosity. Initially the palate is very much about the structure, the acidity & tannins a corset encircling the fruit, crying out for food. As air works its magic, the wine begins to tease with its complexity, opening the curtain on its depth. Cellar time will be a great friend. www.domainethomsonwines.com 2022 Quartz Reef Bendigo Pinot Noir Price RRP $59 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Smoke, dustiness, charcuterie, earth, spices, layers of interest with the fruit supporting the whole. A sense of richness and volume, powerful fruit, fragrant herbs, youthful boldness with fine tannins and bright acidity lending great backbone. With time, savoury aspects grow, the palate youthful & vital, a long, fresh, lip- smacking close. Approachable but great potential. www.quartzreef.co.nz 2023 Domaine Thomson Explorer Central Otago Pinot Noir Price RRP $35 Rating Excellent Volume on the nose, earthy/forest floor influences, berry compote, savoury qualities, stony minerality. Generosity of flavour, lovely fruit depth yet it brings cool freshness as well, a wisp of gunflint later. The fruit weight is matched by well-judged tannins; overall nice complexity. Zesty acidity comes into play on the long, dry close, supporting that freshness. www.domainethomsonwines.com 2023 Carrick Billet Doux Bannockburn Pinot Noir Price RRP $39 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Young, vibrant, riffing on darker fruits, tea leaf, tilled earth, a creamy quality, perhaps even citrus zest? Another wine with powerful fruit, boysenberry, dark cherry, ripe yet dry, a corset of fine tannins giving structure leading to a long, dry close. Purity & complexity, unfurls beautifully on the palate. Feels unforced and complete. Quite lovely. www.carrick.co.nz
