Aroha Te Muna Pinot Noir

An excellent Martinborough Pinot Noir. Rich and luscious like an Otago Pinot but not as overt as Otago usually is. Red and Black cherry with restrained whole bunch influence. Balanced French oak. Craggy Range is based in Hawkes Bay (the winery is a great spot for lunch!) but they were smart enough to establish their Te Muna vineyard in Martinborough - a much better terroir for Pinot Noir. Bob Campbell MW nailed the brief by saying it “delivers power with consummate subtlety. “ A point or two off for a ridiculously heavy bottle.

Craggy Range is based in Hawkes Bay but they knew to produce a top quality Pinot Noir they would need to source from elsewhere, so why not the high quality Pinot district of nearby Martinborough in the North Island. Dried red fruits of strawberry and raspberry with a whole bunch influence. Very fluid tannins - could be North or South Island with the flavour profile. Resolved persistent yet soft tannins. On the 2nd night not particularly Pinot Noir. Points off for a ridiculously heavy bottle, trying to justify the $140 price tag.

[alluvial free draining soil] Light garnet, diminished concentration and staining. Bright lush raspberry and cranberry. Licorice and a lot of minerals. Sweet and savory on the finish. Soft velvety tannins. Elevated acidity. Medium plus body. Some French oak.

Had this in Singapore with black pepper crab. Delicious and nice bright and well-balanced NZ Pinot.

Certainly, one of the better NZ Pinot Noir's I've had in awhile. The nose is pure elegance, aromatic dark red florals; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, pouched strawberries and mineral driven rich dark soil. The palate mouthfeel is full bodied, round & elegant. The florals are fresh, fragrant & red. The fruits are full bodied, rich, ripe and lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, faint blueberries, strawberries, a touch of strawberry black cherry cola, hints of liquified black licorice and a whisper of soft spice. The minerals are delicate...soft and understated, rich black earth, light dusty chalkiness, fresh red roses & red floral bouquet. It's bottle evolution makes it the perfect time to enjoy. The balance, length, structure tension and acidity are in very good harmony. Tastes like a well crafted Burgundian wine. @Craggy Range

Very Asian-spice (cumin-y) NZ Pinot. VG at first, started to get a little disjointed as dinner went on.

And another nice one

Earthy, ground floor, leafy, flat - MD would like

The description: A complex bouquet and palate with scents and flavours of black currant and dark cherry, wild flowers and red berry fruits then a stone and mineral silty soils quality . Youthful, varietal and complex. Even on day 2 the wine has a youthful taut appeal, flavours reflect the bouquet with a youthful energy and mix of ripe and tart fruits including cherry, cranberry, plum and black currant. An abundance of fine tannins and medium+ acidity, a wine that will continue to develop over the next 3-5 years. This wine presents best on day 2 which is a strong indication that it will age well. Best drinking from 2025 through 2033+.
The opinion: This is not usually the style of Pinot noir I like, but this is very good.

Dense brooding maraschino cherry, cranberry acidity, damp forest, bits of chocolate and flat cola. Best NZ Pinot to date.