New Zealand Pinot Noir for your cellar

A suave and sexy Pinot Noir. Expect the sweet sandalwood-like oak flavours of youth layered over rich fruit in this round, generous Pinot. Beyond the fruit, there's a mass of open-pored, mouthcoating tannins which speak of the clay component of this site, leaving a structured, chocolatey finish.

An enduring favourite. After a whiff of gentle smoke, the palate comes on assured but light feet. Cherry and mulberry follow, but with air and time raspberry and a touch of nettle follow. Splendid acidity and a super-fine weave of tannins highlight its beauty and elegance. Biodynamic.

A light wine for this region but increasingly seductive, with blackberry and smoked almond aromas. Generous fruit, a wonderful depth of character enhanced by evident cherry and herbal notes, with a long clean, refreshing finish

A hint of rose petal at first, then a concentrated and aromatic palate of Maraschino cherry edged with rose. Fine tannins crunch like Atlas silk. This is unforced, elegant and full of potential.

Subtle cherry on the nose. The palate is a lovely expression of unforced balance, an interplay between aromatic, ripe fruit and bracing freshness with a lovely savoury glint. Nothing is overdone here.

Peppery red cherry and tart berry fruit is ripe but pervaded by spice: aromatic and sinuous, generous and warming, but channelled by fresh acidity. It is the aromatic quality of the fruit that gets under the skin. The finish has a touch of smoke.

A synthesis of white pepper and red cherry with a lovely, salty soy edge. On the palate this is full, fluid and a little edgy – but elegant. It retains a spiciness throughout and does not carry an ounce of fat. The pepper and freshness just linger.

Subtle cherry aroma. Lovely, rounded, resonant and Maraschino cherry-tinged berry fruit on the palate. Made with such a light touch, allowing the fruit to speak clearly and with purity. So beautiful, resonant and gorgeous.

Some reductive aromas initially but plenty of black fruit, chocolate and herbs on the palate. Big boned wine with substantial tannins, dark berry fruits unfold softly across the palate, this is unforced, a wine with charisma and richness.

From Rudi Bauer’s capable hands, this reveals the merest whiff of smoke. The palate is corsetted sumptuousness, while the frame is firm, showing lots of backbone. A lovely synthesis of fruit, structure and texture that channels Bendigo power into finesse. The lasting finish resonates with fruit. Biodynamic.

Gentle peony notes on the nose signal elegance and charm. The texture is of velvet: dense and taut with a gentle brush. The fruit is ripe and suggests mulberry and red cherry. Such an elegant expression of Gibbston, this is lovely and lasting, with real potential.

Slightly reduced on the nose but well-structured with marked acidity and grip on the finish. Pleasant florality with sawdust and raspberry compote notes.

Floral, fragrant and tender at first, this reveals real depth of fruit with a little air. Bright and resonant.

A touch of promising reduction appears first but then white pepper and gentle spice take over. Red, pure berry fruit is still tightly held on the concentrated palate where firm, fine tannins crunch pleasantly.

Savoury, peppery notes of cranberry pervade nose and palate, fragrant and laden with cherry. Combines Awatere’s coolness and Marlborough’s brilliant sunshine.

The initial flinty reduction on the nose blows off to reveal juicy, ripe cherry fruit. The fresh and bright palate adds cranberry and a touch of white pepper and ivy leaf to the experience. The finish is wonderfully tart and refreshing.

Tender, restrained cranberry and cherry aromas have a peppery verve. The palate unites cherry, vivid freshness and earthiness into a slender but very balanced package with a peppery finish.

From a number of vineyards in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys, think of this as the Bourgogne Rouge of Villa Maria's Marlborough Pinots, says Gordon Russell: 'unscrew, drink, enjoy'. This has an appealing sappy herbal note that gives freshness and a bit of backbone to the concentrated, juicy raspberry compote flavours, backed by gentle oaking (15% new barrels).

Redcurrant and cranberry provide aroma and tingling tartness on nose and palate. This has real bite and very gentlegrip, with lovely berry aromas on its light, taut palate.