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The best pinot noirs from Taste’s Top Wine Awards 2018

New Zealand pinot noir is elegant, smooth and fruit-driven with good structure and intensity. Master of Wine Bob Campbell shares his top pinot noir picks from Taste magazine's Top Wine Awards.
Taste top wine awards - Best Pinot Noir

Look out for the Taste Top Wine Award stickers on these bottles at supermarkets and selected liquor retailers.

Under $30

Brancott Estate 2016 Letter Series “T” Pinot Noir, Marlborough $26.49

Reasonably concentrated and quite tasty pinot noir with dark cherry, berry and toasty oak flavours. Strongly varietal wine that’s accessible now and offers good value at this price.

Mount Brown Estates 2016 Grand Reserve Pinot Noir, North Canterbury $29.99

Rich and flavoursome red in a sumptuous, almost ‘fruit bomb’ style, supported by spicy oak. Generously proportioned wine offering excellent value at this price.

Delta 2016 Hatters Hill Pinot Noir, Marlborough $29.99

Pure, vibrant pinot noir with bright, fresh dark cherry, raspberry and spicy oak flavours together with a suggestion of floral/violet character.

Lake Hayes 2016 Pinot Noir, Central Otago $29.99

Juicy and appealing pinot noir with cassis, plum and dark cherry flavours. Succulent wine with a smooth texture for extra drinkability. A real crowd pleaser.

$30-$50

Muddy Water 2015 Pinot Noir, Waipara $40

Rich, weighty, high energy pinot noir with plum, berry, dark cherry, anise/spice and nutty oak flavours. Very appealing with depth, power and a seductively smooth texture.

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Marlborough $40

Rich and quite concentrated pinot noir with ripe plum, dark fruits, liquorice, anise/spice and toasty oak flavours. Youthful, vibrant wine.

Nga Waka 2016 Pinot Noir, Martinborough $40

Very typical Martinborough pinot noir with black-fleshed plum, dark berry, a hint of spice/anise and a seasoning of subtle oak. Impressive purity and energy.

Dog Point 2015 Pinot Noir, Marlborough $47

Rich, concentrated pinot noir with ripe plum, black cherry, liquorice, spice/anise and nutty oak flavours. Powerful wine that’s a pleasure to taste now but has the potential to develop well in the bottle.

Over $50

Ata Rangi 2015 Pinot Noir, Martinborough $75

Very seductive pinot noir combining a sensual, silken texture with layers of complex fruit and savoury flavours. Outstanding!

Akarua 2015 Kolo Pinot Noir, Central Otago $85

A tight, yet powerful pinot noir with wonderful energy and vibrance. An appealing aroma leads to cherry, plum, violet and spice/anise flavours. Only available through cellar door or via website.

Bell Hill 2014 Pinot Noir, North Canterbury $120

A wine of subtle power with a typical chalk/mineral influence from limestone-rich soils. Impressive now but with serious potential.

Craggy Range 2015 Aroha Pinot Noir, Martinborough $135

Dense, rich pinot noir with sweet plum, dark berry, floral/violet, spice/anise and nutty oak flavours. Intense, flavoursome wine that is deliciously accessible now but has a promising future.

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