New Zealand Pinot Noir wines to seek out
Decanter's Tina Gellie picks your next New Zealand Pinots to try...
Pinot Noir grows at its best in cooler climates – think Burgundy and Champagne – which is why it fares well in New Zealand, especially in regions such as Marlborough and Central Otago.
The following wines showcase some top picks for drinking in 2019 and beyond, from the full-bodied, rich expressions of Central Otago to the weighty concentration of Martinborough and the balanced elegance of Marlborough.
See also: Why you need to think again about New Zealand wine
Rebecca Gibb MW says ‘there’s plenty to be excited about… from Martinborough and Central Otago in particular,’ in her New Zealand 2016 reds vintage report.
New Zealand Pinot Noir wines to seek out:
See also:
A wine lover’s guide to Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand whites: 2018 vintage report
Top New Zealand Pinot Noirs for your cellar
Seresin Estate, Leah Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2017
Made from a blend of handpicked organic fruit (worked biodynamically) from three estate vineyards, yielding just two bottles per vine. It has great concentration and...
2017
Seresin Estate
Craggy Range, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand, 2016
This has really good concentration, richness and weight of ripe fruits with firm tannins in support. Generous and overt black cherry and red plum flavours...
2016
Craggy RangeMartinborough
Mt Beautiful, Pinot Noir, Canterbury, New Zealand, 2016
Cracking value here, with vibrant cherry and strawberry characters on a full-bodied, creamy palate, alongside pinpoint balance of acidity and alcohol. It's firm and fresh,...
2016
Mt Beautiful
Saint Clair Family Estate, Pioneer Block 26 Tutu Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2017
A big mouthful of juicy brambles, with floral notes and cherry liqueur – this packs a punch! It's ripe, rich and full-bodied, with an ageworthy...
2017
Saint Clair Family Estate
Spy Valley, Envoy Outpost Vineyard Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2015
Drinking beautifully now, this silky, savoury and intense wine has beautifully integrated oak within the dark cherry fruit, and there's lovely drive from the fine...
2015
Spy Valley
Akarua, Rua Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand, 2017
Full-bodied and forward, this is a classic Kiwi Pinot style of generous sweet red cherry fruit with hints of autumn leaf and floral lift. It...
2017
Akarua
Escarpment, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand, 2016
A big-shouldered wine with warm alcohol and evident oak from 11 months in French barriques, balanced by dense dark cherry fruit and hints of undergrowth....
2016
EscarpmentMartinborough
Greenhough, Pinot Noir, Nelson, New Zealand, 2016
A lean and elegant style of Pinot from organic fruit. Flavours of macerated red cherries and sweet strawberries join notes of leafy undergrowth and firm,...
2016
Greenhough
Jackson Estate, Vintage Widow Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2015
A mid-bodied but concentrated wine with good intensity of dark berry and cherry fruit, this has fresh oak spicing and gentle wild herb tones. Supple...
2015
Jackson Estate
Lake Chalice, The Raptor Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2016
Great value! From the 15-year-old Eyrie vineyard, this Pinot offers a pure and intense expression of black cherry and wild strawberry fruit, with violet lift...
2016
Lake Chalice
Mud House, Claim 431 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand, 2016
A limited-production, single-vineyard wine that's well structured with firm tannins and fresh acidity. The palate is packed with ripe, juicy and rich mulberry and raspberry...
2016
Mud House
Nautilus, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2015
Classic Kiwi Pinot notes of juicy, bright raspberry and blue bramble fruits, with cherry-stone minerality and violet lift. It's light in body but big in...
2015
Nautilus
The Crossings, Pinot Noir, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2017
This has an elegant purple berry purity on both nose and palate, enlivened by a streak of minerality and brisk, mouthwatering acidity. It's young and...
2017
The CrossingsAwatere Valley
