Tom’s Block Pinot Noir 2023, Neudorf Vineyards, Nelson

Tom’s Block Pinot Noir 2023, Neudorf Vineyards, Nelson

A very different style of Pinot Noir. Very pale in colour with a lifted herbaceous nose. The palate is concentrated but extremely refined with elegant savoury cool but ripe red cherry fruits and light tannins on the lengthy finish.

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Thomas Brothers Pinot Noir 2021 Greystone Winery, Waipara

Thomas Brothers Pinot Noir 2021 Greystone Winery, Waipara

An explosion ultra-ripe dark fruits and dried herbs on the nose. Plush and opulent on the palate with voluptuous ripe dark cherry and subtle spicy notes, alongside some toasted oak. Powerful and full-bodied but not without elegance; there are some well-integrated tannins, but this is ready to drink now.

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Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2021, Martinborough

Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2021, Martinborough

Pale in colour with attractive aromas of red cherries, spice and some new oak. The palate is ripe with redcurrants and red cherries, a savoury note, an earthiness and fine but present tannins on the long dry finish. A light to medium-bodied elegant wine that will repay cellaring for a few years.

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Greywacke Pinot Noir 2022, Marlborough

Greywacke Pinot Noir 2022, Marlborough

Perfumed with ripe fruits, dried herbs, and a touch of woodsmoke; the palate is rich and opulent, laden with sweet ripe dark fruits. There is a savoury spicy note that provides balance to the sweet blackcurrants, plums and dark cherries. The oak is there but subtle. There is plenty of concentration, a good tannic structure…

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Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago

Deeply coloured for a Pinot Noir. Pure and focused with piquant dark cherry fruits, with plenty of refreshing acidity. The fruit is ripe but never sweet. There is some toasty oak, an earthiness, some spicy notes, with black pepper. The are firm tannins on the finish, promising a good future.

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Angel Flower Pinot Noir 2022, Pyramid Valley, North Canterbury

Angel Flower Pinot Noir 2022, Pyramid Valley, North Canterbury

Delightful fragrant aromas of rose on the nose. Reminiscent of a Chambolle-Musigny in style, the palate is smooth and silky with beguiling concentrated soft strawberry and redcurrant fruits, brought to life by a subtle acidity. There is a liveliness and freshness and a strong mineral core. The tannins are very fine, but sufficient to allow…

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Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay, Coal River Valley 2022

Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay, Coal River Valley 2022

Struck matches on the nose; the wine has a fantastic tension between precise laser-like lime acidity and rich, almost exotic peach fruits. Very concentrated, well-balanced with great length. The oak is there but, in the background, the acidity fresh and integrated. Drink now or keep a decade or more.

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Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2022, Auckland, New Zealand

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2022, Auckland, New Zealand

Fresh citrus blossom aromas, with a touch of oak; gorgeous mineral-driven lemon and lime zest with green apples and some rich fruit too. Linear with a distinctive saline finish. Not unlike a top Puligny-Montrachet with its racy acidity and structure. A brilliant wine, but one for the long haul.

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Felton Road Bannockburn Block 6 Chardonnay 2022, Central Otago, New Zealand

Felton Road Bannockburn Block 6 Chardonnay 2022, Central Otago, New Zealand

A relatively rich powerful Chardonnay with forward aromas of white flowers. The palate is full, almost lush, with ripe succulent pure yellow stone fruits – peaches and nectarines, underpinned by subtle notes of toasted nuts. It is all held nicely in check by a core of juicy mineral acidity. It lingers nicely. A young promising…

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Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Akarua Bannockburn 2021 – Central Otago

Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Akarua Bannockburn 2021 – Central Otago

The wine has a ruby color of medium intensity. The nose offers depth, a juicy and ripe fruitiness, as well as savoury and enveloped spiciness and delicate herbaceous notes. It expresses the aromas of morello cherry, red cherry jam, roasted red cherry, crushed blackcurrant (with a touch of crème de cassis), wild blackberry, raspberry coulis,…

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