Without question, New Zealand Pinot Noirs are a delight to taste and write about. These can be wines of great complexity and charm, often capturing the story of the site as much as the winemaker’s interpretation. I have been wowed by this month’s selections and I think you will be as well.
Cameron Douglas MS explores some of the options in this month’s tasting guide, here are some of his top picks…
Cloudy Bay Te Wāhi Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago
There’s no mistaking the power and concentration of this wine – a bold fruit statement and a bold oak influence. Aromas of dark berries, baking spices, smoky oak, and hints of new wood. Varietal and youthful, yet complex and intriguing. On the palate, a dry wine with immediate impact from an abundance of polished tannins and core fruit flavours of dark berries and plums. The acidity holds all the flavours and textures in place, with tannins providing a firm yet polished mouthfeel. Lengthy, with plenty of velvet textures and a long finish. Best drinking from 2027 through to 2035+!
Points: 95
RRP: $134.00
Distributor: Moet Hennessy NZ Ltd
Phone: (0800) 226 650
www.cloudybay.com
Folding Hill Orchard Block Pinot Noir 2022, Bendigo, Central Otago
Great colour and brightness with a bouquet to match. There’s power and richness, with scents of ripe red berry fruits, new barrel spices, smoke, and dried herbs. Aromas of dried raspberry and plum, violet and rose, followed by a mineral clay and stony soil character. Delicious on the palate, with noticeable texture from the tannins and acidity framing the core fruit flavours beautifully. An impactful wine with complexity and tension, length, and purity. Best drinking from 2027 through to 2034+.
Points: 95
RRP: $70.00
Distributor: Folding Hill Wine Company
Phone: (021) 410 148
www.foldinghill.co.nz
Mondillo Pinot Noir 2024, Central Otago
Fabulous bouquet and palate — a wine of distinction and purity. Aromas and flavours of dark cherry and roasted blackcurrant, with a savoury quality from wild thyme and sage, followed by toasty barrel spices. Firm, taut and dry, this is a wine that will age well. It can also be enjoyed immediately; the core fruit flavours and gentle sweetness from oak and alcohol support this. Complex, layered and long. Enjoy with food today, or cellar with best drinking from 2028 through 2035+.
Points: 95
RRP: $58.00
Distributor: Mondillo
Phone: (027) 428 2214
www.mondillo.com
Jules Taylor OTQ Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough
Once again, Jules Taylor shows her proclivity for making fine wine with this example. Aromas and flavours of dark plum and black cherry fruit are set against a backdrop of barrel spice, baking spice, and stony mineral notes. A dry wine that briefly touches the palate before flavours and textures of baking spice-laced red berry fruits race to the fore. Fine, polished tannins and acidity firmly set the structure of youth in place. Well made (naturally), with best drinking from 2026 through 2033+.
Points: 94
RRP: $55.00
Distributor: Hancocks Wine and Spirit Merchants
Phone: (09) 361 8480
www.julestaylor.com
Read all of Cameron’s wine reviews here.
Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier. An experienced wine commentator, judge, reviewer, presenter and consultant, he is the Beverage Director & Group Sommelier for Rodd & Gunn and is the Patron of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association. Formerly academically in charge of the Wine & Beverage Programme at AUT in Auckland, Douglas has also consulted to a variety of establishments, taking care of their wine lists, wine and food pairings, and staff training matters, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas.
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