Tasting Notes From Pinot Palooza 2024 - Part 2

Following the exploration of Australia’s finest Pinot Noirs at Pinot Palooza, I'll now turn my attention to the equally exciting Pinot Noirs from New Zealand. New Zealand, with its cooler climate and varied terroirs, is famous for producing some world-class Pinot Noir, offering expressions that are both elegant and complex.

At Pinot Palooza, New Zealand’s distinct Pinot Noirs from regions like Marlborough, Central Otago and North Canterbury offered a contrast to the bold Australian styles, showcasing a finesse that was unmistakable.

Let’s dive into the New Zealand Pinot Noir tasting notes from the festival and explore the unique characteristics that each wine brought to the table.

Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Marlborough

Dog Point Vineyard’s 2021 Pinot Noir is a shining example of Marlborough’s capacity to produce expressive, perfumed Pinot Noirs. Grown on the clay hill slopes, the nose opens with bright floral notes of rose and violets, interlaced with crunchy red berry fruits and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is juicy and succulent, with layers of red cherry and brown spice providing both sweetness and warmth. The tannins are silky and finely woven, giving the wine a soft texture and a lingering finish. Its vibrant acidity ensures freshness, and it is built to age gracefully. A perfect pairing for duck, venison, or earthy mushroom dishes, this is a wine that speaks to the elegance and precision of Marlborough Pinot Noir.

Pegasus Bay Main Divide Pinot Noir 2022, North Canterbury

This 2022 release from Pegasus Bay’s Main Divide range dazzles with its vibrant, garnet fringed, ruby hue and enticing medley of aromas. On the nose, a complex blend of rhubarb, cherry, and pomegranate is beautifully complemented by earthy notes of tree moss, mushroom, and wood spice, with just a hint of violet adding an extra layer of finesse. The mouthfeel is plush and velvety, with fine-grained tannins providing structure while refreshing acidity dances across the palate. The wine finishes with grace, leaving a finely textured sensation that lingers long after the last sip. This wine’s balance of fruit, earthiness, and acidity makes it a sophisticated, versatile choice for a variety of dishes.

Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2022, North Canterbury

This deeply ruby-hued Pinot Noir from Pegasus Bay offers an intricate and fragrant nose, where cherry, dark plum, and pomegranate are layered with savoury notes of mushroom, tanned leather, hazelnut, and spicy oak. The hint of violet adds a floral brightness to the wine’s otherwise earthy and rich profile. On the palate, the wine is finely textured, with brisk acidity and ripe tannins creating a framework for the bold fruit flavours. It builds beautifully across the palate, revealing a precision and focus that speaks to its refined craftsmanship. This is a wine full of finesse, with a long, rewarding finish that ensures it will age well in the years to come.

Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2019, North Canterbury

Pegasus Bay’s Prima Donna Pinot Noir is a wine of immense power and elegance, with a deep ruby hue and a nose that exudes dark fruit and spice. Aromas of spiced plum, red currant, and dark cherry lead into savoury undertones of earth, leather, cinnamon, mushroom, and crushed thyme. The palate is rich and luxurious, with fine-grained tannins and a concentrated core of ripe fruit. The well-integrated acidity adds poise and balance, while the wine’s depth and complexity make it a real showstopper. Despite its richness, the wine is delivered with precision and finesse, making it a perfect candidate for extended cellaring, where it will continue to evolve with grace.

Greystone Nor’Wester Pinot Noir 2022, North Canterbury

The Greystone Nor’Wester Pinot Noir 2022 is garnet in colour and bursting with red berry fruits on the nose, drawing you in with its brightness and freshness. The palate delivers on that promise, with red cherry and subtle oak spice being the most prominent flavours. As the wine opens, it reveals more complexity, with hints of leather, dried herbs, and wild berries adding depth. Fine, fruit-driven tannins ensure a supple mouthfeel, while the delicate oak influence provides structure without overpowering the fruit. This wine showcases the elegant, refined style of North Canterbury Pinot Noir, perfect for those who appreciate purity and balance in their wines.

Greystone Organic Pinot Noir 2019, North Canterbury

Greystone’s Organic Pinot Noir 2019 is a harmonious and sophisticated wine, displaying an impressive balance between bright red berry fruits and subtle spices. On the nose, black tea and dried herbs add complexity, while the palate is defined by its poise and vibrancy. The bright acidity ensures the wine maintains its energy and freshness from start to finish, with a velvety smooth texture that elevates the drinking experience. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a lasting impression of finesse and balance. This wine is built for aging, but its elegance makes it a delightful drink now for those who appreciate well-structured, lively Pinot Noirs.

New Zealand’s Pinot Noirs, particularly from regions like Marlborough and North Canterbury, bring an elegant, perfumed quality to the table. With cooler climates and distinct terroirs, the wines showcase finesse, freshness, and a savoury complexity that sets them apart from their Australian counterparts. In our final part of this blog series, we’ll explore how these expressions differ from the Australian Pinots tasted at Pinot Palooza, focusing on the influences of climate, soil, and winemaking techniques.