Craggy Range

Aroha Te Muna Pinot Noir

9.151 ratings
9.112 pro ratings
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North 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
Bob McDonald

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.

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.

Sep 9th, 2022
Shengli Hu

[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.

[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.

Mar 18th, 2018
Tyler Durham

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

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

1 person found it helpfulJul 26th, 2016
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

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

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

Apr 14th, 2017
Ray Isle

Executive Wine Editor Food & Wine Magazine

8.9

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

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

Sep 24th, 2014
Kai Schubert

Winemaker at Schubert

9.9

And another nice one

And another nice one

Sep 17th, 2014
Devin Brown

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.

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.

Mar 29th, 2024
Andrew Liguori

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

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

May 28th, 2023
Stuart Pollack

Excellent Pinot Noir with great earthiness and complex cranberry and red fruit flavors.

Excellent Pinot Noir with great earthiness and complex cranberry and red fruit flavors.

Aug 25th, 2022
Heath Bradby

Ridiculous

Ridiculous

May 9th, 2020