94 Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Central Otago Burn
Cottage Vineyard 2016 $65 Elegant and focused,
featuring fresh raspberry and cherry flavors at the core, with
a creamy texture, accents of cinnamon and clove, and dried
herbal and black tea notes echoing in the background. Har-
monious on the long finish. Drink now through 2033. 4,500
cases made, 500 cases imported.—M.W.
94 Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Central Otago
Moonlight Race 2016 $45 See Highly Recommended,
page 81.
94 Felton Road Pinot Noir
Central Otago Calvert 2017
$85 This is lush and vibrant, with
blackberry and blueberry flavors
that are intense and powerful, yet
still showing restraint and delicacy,
with details of Earl Grey tea, white
pepper, loam and cinnamon, linger-
ing effortlessly on the long, expres-
sive finish. Drink now through
- 1,000 cases made, 66 cases
imported.—M.W.
BLAIR WALTER
Winemaker93 Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Kupe
Single Vineyard 2017 $75 Distinctive, with dense
fruit flavors, velvety tannins and a delightful aromatic
profile, showing off whiffs of mahogany and cigar box.
Complex black truffle, blackberry pie and cedar notes
wrap around the muscular core, showing off tremendous
harmony on the long finish. Drink now through 2035.
250 cases made, 50 cases imported.—M.W.
93 Loveblock Pinot Noir Central Otago 2018
$35 See Highly Recommended, page 81.
93 Valli Pinot Noir Central Otago Bendigo
Vineyard 2016 $59 Distinctly spicy, with sarsaparilla,
clove and cedar notes that mingle with dense blackberry
and blueberry flavors. The tannins are firm, the acidity
fresh. Details of sandalwood and cigar box linger on the
finish. Drink now through 2034. 495 cases made, 25 cases
imported.—M.W.
92 Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Te
Rehua Single Vineyard 2017 $65 Offers dense plum
and pomegranate flavors, with shades of chai tea and plu-
meria flitting about the edges. Clove and forest floor notes
linger on the finish. Impressively focused and generous,
set on a velvety frame. Drink now through 2033. 250 cases
made, 50 cases imported.—M.W.
92 Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Block
5 2017 $125 Fresh wild strawberry and red licorice notes
are smooth and bright, with accents of matcha green tea,
thyme and lavender. Harmonious and expressive on the
long finish, where a hint of orange zest pops up. Drink now
through 2028. 438 cases made, 13 cases imported.—M.W.
92 Mohua Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 $24
Juicy and lively, featuring a fresh mix of wild strawberry,
cherry and raspberry flavors, mingling effortlessly with
thyme, sage and tobacco notes. This finds balance between
the firm structure and fleshy tannins. Drink now through
- 2,500 cases made.—M.W.
92 Mount Riley Pinot Noir Central Otago
Limited Release 2018 $24 Maraschino cherry fla-
vors are smooth and fresh, offering details of clove, vanilla
bean and black tea. Vibrant and expressive on the finish,
with velvety tannins and a fresh thread of acidity weav-
ing in and out. Drink now through 2029. 309 cases made,
200 cases imported.—M.W.
92 Rippon Pinot Noir Central Otago Mature
Vine Lake Wanaka 2016 $60 Complex and bold,
with cigar box aromas leaping out of the glass, offering
notes of dried porcino, black tea and sandalwood. Black-
berry and plum flavors show good concentration. Velvety
tannins gain traction on the finish. Drink now through
- 1,800 cases made, 147 cases imported.—M.W.
92 Tutton Sienko & Hill Pinot Noir Waipara The
Boneline Waimanu 2016 $40 Fresh raspberry coulis
and wild strawberry flavors are creamy at the core, accented
by clove and green tea notes, balancing elegance and in-
tensity in a harmonious way. Spicy finish. Drink now
through 2029. 882 cases made, 100 cases imported.—M.W.
92 Valli Pinot Noir Central Otago Gibbston
Vineyard 2016 $59 Shows presence and structure,
with herbal and licorice notes setting up the framework
for the dense and spicy blackberry and cherry flavors at
the core. Fine-grained tannins and spicy black tea details
fan out on the finish. Drink now through 2033. 1,353
cases made, 25 cases imported.—M.W.
91 Clos Henri Pinot Noir Marlborough Petit Clos
2018 $20 Light and fresh, featuring wild strawberry and
raspberry flavors, accented by supple tannins. Details of
forest floor, spice, clove and white pepper add intrigue and
aromatics through the long finish, with gripping tannins.
Drink now. 5,400 cases made, 370 cases imported.—M.W.91 Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough 2017
$40 The raspberry coulis and cherry compote flavors
are fresh, with a thread of acidity that highlights rosemary
and loam details. Velvety tannins firm up on the finish.
Drink now through 2029. 3,000 cases made, 500 cases
imported.—M.W.
91 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago
Privateer The Golden Rule 2016 $35 Robust, with
sarsaparilla and cola flavors and deep, fresh earthy and
bramble notes that add a savory side to the plum and
blackberry elements. Appealingly concentrated, showing
savoriness and muscular tannins. Drink now through 2033.
152 cases made, 152 cases imported.—M.W.
90 Auntsfield Pinot Noir Marlborough Single
Vineyard 2017 $35 Dense and juicy, with plump
blackberry and plum flavors, accented by a touch of black
walnut liqueur and notes of Earl Grey tea. The terrific in-
tensity lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2028.
1,000 cases made, 200 cases imported.—M.W.
90 Chasing Harvest Pinot Noir Central Otago
2017 $35 Vibrant raspberry and cranberry flavors are
fresh and crisp, with details of thyme, crushed pine needle
and white pepper. Firm tannins provide appealing trac-
tion on the finish. Drink now through 2029. 124 cases
made, 88 cases imported.—M.W.90 Framingham Pinot Noir Marlborough F-
Series 2017 $35 Effortless and elegant, with rich plum,
licorice and black cherry flavors that are velvety and spicy.
Features a long, spicy finish full of nutmeg and cigar box
notes. Drink now through 2030. 1,250 cases made, 100
cases imported.—M.W.
90 Matahiwi Pinot Noir Wairarapa 2018 $20
Offers savory elements, featuring herb, loam and mineral
accents to the core of fresh red berry and cherry fruit.
Shows precision and crisp acidity. Harmonious on the fin-
ish, with firm tannins. Drink now through 2032. 5,000
cases made, 1,000 cases imported.—M.W.
90 Mud House Pinot Noir Central Otago 2018
$16 Fresh, succulent raspberry and maraschino cherry
flavors are smooth, plump and juicy in this version, with
cedar, chai tea, tobacco and clove details that linger ef-
fortlessly on the finish. Drink now. 26,700 cases made,
980 cases imported.—M.W.90 Nautilus Pinot Noir Marlborough Southern
Valleys 2016 $37 Offers pure raspberry coulis and mar-
aschino cherry flavors. Accents of spice and herb give this
depth. The plush texture and lingering details add interest.
Drink now through 2034. 500 cases imported.—M.W.
90 Palliser Pinot Noir Martinborough 2018 $30
Delicate and fresh, with cranberry and strawberry flavors
that are fresh and bright, with cedar, herb and cream soda
notes rounding out the edges and showing a thread of
acidity. Drink now through 2029. 2,250 cases made, 700
cases imported.—M.W.90 Sacred Hill Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017
$20 Elegant and supple, showing weightlessness to the
raspberry sorbet, cherry and orange zest flavors, with
notes of loam, sage and white pepper that linger. Drink
now through 2032. 13,000 cases made, 308 cases
imported.—M.W.
90 Scott Base Pinot Noir Central Otago 2017
$25 Fresh raspberry and blueberry flavors sing out in this
polished red, with accents of white pepper, chai tea and
loam. Shows finesse and fresh acidity. Drink now through- 1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.—M.W.
90 Allan Scott Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017
$20 Smooth and succulent, with plush raspberry coulis
and black cherry flavors that seamlessly integrate with the
cedar and vanilla details and touches of roasted cumin
seed, lingering effortlessly on the finish. Drink now
through 2030. 500 cases made, 300 cases imported.—M.W.
90 Seresin Pinot Noir Marlborough Rachel
Limited Release 2014 $45 Cherry, raspberry and
dried herbal notes reveal aromatic accents of dried laven-
der, cigar box and clove that linger on the finish. The
tannins provide appealing traction. Drink now through - 643 cases made, 56 cases imported.—M.W.
89 Astrolabe Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017 $30
Fresh herbal details accent the tangy, black tea–infused
cherry and berry flavors at the core, with dense, muscular
tannins and a fresh thread of acidity. Drink now. 3,000
cases made, 760 cases imported.—M.W.
89 Babich Pinot Noir Marlborough Black Label
2018 $22 Fresh, bright cranberry and strawberry pre-
serve flavors are polished and bright, with an energetic
thread of acidity and details of orange zest, dried herb and
spice on the finish. Drink now. 3,500 cases made, 500
cases imported.—M.W.
89 Black Cottage Pinot Noir Marlborough 2018
$20 Fresh, vibrant cherry and cranberry flavors are crisp
and bright, with notes of pepper, herb and loam on the
finish. Polished tannins lend this an air of elegance. Drink
now. 1,500 cases made, 200 cases imported.—M.W.
89 Momo Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017 $19
Pomegranate and cranberry elements are fresh and lively,
with details of toasted cumin, cedar and forest floor. Finds
balance between savory notes and juicy red fruit flavors.
Drink now through 2027. 3,400 cases made, 800 cases
imported.—M.W.
89 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago Ted
2017 $20 Juicy pomegranate and blueberry flavors are
bright and expressive, with plump, velvety tannins and
lingering spice and cigar box details. Drink now through- 2,100 cases made, 224 cases imported.—M.W.
89 Muddy Water Pinot Noir North Canterbury
Deliverance 2017 $25 Precise, with thyme and sage
details to the fresh cherry and blueberry flavors. Plump
tannins and details of Earl Grey tea linger on the finish,
revealing a fresh thread of acidity. Drink now through - 2,000 cases made, 200 cases imported.—M.W.
89 Te Awanga Pinot Noir Hawkes Bay 2015 $22
Pretty, with black tea, dried berry and herbal notes.
Smooth and creamy on a light frame, with cedar and loam
accents on the finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made, 2,000
cases imported.—M.W.
88 Coopers Creek Pinot Noir Hawkes Bay 2017
$15 Robust blackberry, cherry and licorice notes show
good intensity and a fresh thread of acidity, with muscular
tannins and details of dried sage. Drink now through 2029.
1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.—M.W.
88 Wither Hills Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
$22 Raspberry, cherry and pomegranate flavors are crisp
and bright, with touches of fresh loam, sage and clove that
linger on the finish. Drink now through 2029. 12,000
cases made, 500 cases imported.—M.W.
New Releases: New Zealand94 WINE SPECTATOR • SEPT. 30, 2019