It was Sauvignon Blanc, with its distinctive flavors and aggressive advertising, that put New Zealand on the world wine map within the Nineteen Eighties. Whereas not everybody’s cup of tea with its racy model, the variability grew to become synonymous with New Zealand wine and accounts for greater than three-quarters of the nation’s wine manufacturing.
However there’s one other rising wine star in New Zealand: Pinot Noir, which has change into the second most planted selection and the main crimson grape.
With its comparatively cool local weather, together with most notably Central Otago within the southernmost a part of the South Island, New Zealand is prime Pinot Noir territory.
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Stylistically, the wines vary from cheap, fundamental, fruit-driven expressions (primarily crimson fruits), to wines of appreciable complexity. Whereas not as nuanced as many Burgundies, and fewer concentrated than Pinot Noirs from Oregon or California, the New Zealand wines occupy an attention-grabbing center floor.
Ripeness is clearly achievable, as my tastings confirmed, however there’s something else that distinguishes them: Nearly all present a pronounced earthiness and savoriness that make them fascinating and differentiate them from different Pinot Noirs.
I definitely discovered this within the Central Otago wines, but in addition in Pinots from Marlborough, the wine area within the northeast nook of the South Island that’s New Zealand’s largest and most well-known for Sauvignon Blanc.
Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson sum it up nicely of their “World Atlas of Wine,” writing that “Central Otago Pinot Noir, like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, might not be the subtlest wine on the earth, however it’s simple to love nearly as quickly as it’s bottled.”
Certainly, whereas a number of the wines I tasted will profit from just a few extra years within the bottle, most had been fairly accessible now, which, after all, is what most individuals need once they store for wine.
Listed here are 9 of the perfect New Zealand Pinot Noirs:
Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago 2020
The whole lot comes collectively seamlessly on this prime Central Otago Pinot Noir: darkish berry fruits and plum, savory notes and a contact of black pepper, hints of cinnamon and clove. It has firmer tannins than some, which, mixed with a mineral thread, give the wine nice texture. As with nearly all of the wines I tasted, barrel growing older is completed judiciously and doesn’t name consideration to itself.
Worth: $26
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Nautilus Southern Valleys Pinot Noir 2019
This elegant Pinot Noir exhibits refined candy cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors with hints of orange peel, earth, and minerals. With its 13 p.c ABV and balanced acidity, it’s on the lighter facet by way of weight however exhibits loads of depth.
Worth: $32
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Villa Maria Pinot Noir Marlborough 2021
Well-known and extensively obtainable, this entry-level Pinot Noir from Villa Maria is uncomplicated and scrumptious, with spicy and bitter cherry notes and touches of fennel seed and orange peel. It’s additionally an actual discount at $16 or so. (For a step up, strive Villa Maria’s 2020 Reserve Pinot Noir, which presents extra concentrated savory and spicy crimson fruit.)
Worth: $16
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Spy Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough Southern Valleys 2022
Pink berry fruit, blueberry, and baking spices are the hallmark of this glorious Pinot Noir, with forest flooring and floral notes accenting the fruit. Constituted of grapes that develop in clay, loess, and loam soils in two completely different vineyards in Marlborough subregions.
Worth: $26
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Kumeu River ‘Rays Highway’ Pinot Noir Hawke’s Bay 2020
Merlot is the star in Hawke’s Bay on the southeast facet of the North Island, however there’s additionally some Pinot Noir grown there, and this standout instance is bursting with ripe fruit, together with spicy cherry, strawberry, fig, and blueberry notes. Touches of nutmeg and earth accent the fruit. Like so many New Zealand Pinots, it’s made for savory dishes like pasta with mushroom and leek sauce.
Worth: $40
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Peregrine Pinot Noir Central Otago 2018
Concentrated darkish fruit notes, together with cassis and blueberry, are punctuated by spice and herb touches and a wisp of cookie dough. Refreshing acidity offers steadiness on this stellar Central Otago Pinot. It’s a mix of grapes farmed organically in three Central Otago subregions.
Worth: $34
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Te Mata Property ‘Alma’ Pinot Noir Hawke’s Bay 2021
This stunning wine is the antithesis of the high-alcohol “fruit bomb” model of some California Pinots. For those who like mineral-driven wines, this one will attraction to you. Darkish berry fruit and plum aromas and flavors are punctuated by mineral, leather-based, and earth notes. There was an intriguing citrus trace — grapefruit pith, maybe — on the end. The wine will proceed to evolve for some years.
Worth: $68
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Two Paddocks Pinot Noir Central Otago 2022
It takes a short time for this wine to open up, however when it does there’s nice complexity beginning with a mixture of crimson cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, and crimson licorice notes. Add to that hints of vanilla, forest flooring, and Mediterranean herbs together with thyme and oregano. A bit extra oak-driven than some.
Worth: $48
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Mount Riley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2022
A wisp of black pepper declares this Pinot Noir together with moist rocks and a touch of lavender on the nostril. Bitter cherry and raspberry are among the many concentrated crimson fruit flavors. A sleek wine with effective tannins that give it a pleasant construction. A superb worth that stunned me with its under-$20 price ticket.
Worth: $17
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