Benchmark Wines

Criterion Collection Central Otago Pinot Noir

8.843 ratings
9.01 pro ratings
Central Otago, Otago, South Island, New Zealand
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Lara Dunphy Guest

Director Sales & Marketing Black Cordon Vineyards, Sixteen by Twenty Wines

9.0

Excellent NZ Pinot, especially for the price. Solid cherry with a bit of rough floral, and a touch of black tea in the finish. I really enjoyed this.

Excellent NZ Pinot, especially for the price. Solid cherry with a bit of rough floral, and a touch of black tea in the finish. I really enjoyed this.

Feb 20th, 2017
Dheilan Williams

Drinkable Pinot that is strongly fruit forward but surprisingly not too sweet. Served with a bucattini alla matriciana.

Drinkable Pinot that is strongly fruit forward but surprisingly not too sweet. Served with a bucattini alla matriciana.

Jun 3rd, 2024
Jessica Schumacher

It was fine - just a run of the mill Pinot. If you just want something easy to smash before dinner this will do it and should please anyone.

It was fine - just a run of the mill Pinot. If you just want something easy to smash before dinner this will do it and should please anyone.

May 8th, 2024
Rachel Mulholland

Light bodied, fruit forward. Tart, bordering on astringent. Distinct and stable flavor. Tastes good. Somehow it manages to avoid tasting sweet despite the fruity flavor.

Nothing wrong with it, I prefer a fuller body and a rounder taste, but this was a delightful experience.

Light bodied, fruit forward. Tart, bordering on astringent. Distinct and stable flavor. Tastes good. Somehow it manages to avoid tasting sweet despite the fruity flavor.

Nothing wrong with it, I prefer a fuller body and a rounder taste, but this was a delightful experience.

Dec 11th, 2022
Daniel Sullivan

Garnet-purple almost opaque.
Boysenberry, red currant, pomegranate, lightly herbaceous.
Austere with stem tannin astringency.
Built to last. Not to be drunk alone…yet. Should be great in 5 years:

Garnet-purple almost opaque.
Boysenberry, red currant, pomegranate, lightly herbaceous.
Austere with stem tannin astringency.
Built to last. Not to be drunk alone…yet. Should be great in 5 years:

Jun 25th, 2021
liquidmiami

Cherry candied campfire notes on smell that hints with a curiosity of depth. Light floral notes dance with the diversity of herbal and grounded flavors. Mild on alcohol forwardness showing mostly on finish. Puckery balanced sweetness invites exploration into the depths of one more sip. It’s enjoyable, light, and had an honest depth of if pinto noir while remain jovial light and spunky.

Cherry candied campfire notes on smell that hints with a curiosity of depth. Light floral notes dance with the diversity of herbal and grounded flavors. Mild on alcohol forwardness showing mostly on finish. Puckery balanced sweetness invites exploration into the depths of one more sip. It’s enjoyable, light, and had an honest depth of if pinto noir while remain jovial light and spunky.

Jun 2nd, 2021
Daniele Cuzin

After visiting NZ we did not carry bottles but we found this one near our place. Light and fruity

After visiting NZ we did not carry bottles but we found this one near our place. Light and fruity

Jan 31st, 2019
Clayton Kinsey

First New Zealand Pinot...really enjoyed it! Light body and finish, but very flavorful and a bit spicy.

First New Zealand Pinot...really enjoyed it! Light body and finish, but very flavorful and a bit spicy.

Jan 9th, 2019
Doug Smith

Nice black cherry finish, with a hint of spice.

Nice black cherry finish, with a hint of spice.

Jun 12th, 2018
Mary Beth Bell

Nice

Feb 16th, 2018