Craggy Range
Aroha Te Muna Pinot Noir
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand
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.
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.
Jun 13th, 2024Craggy 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
[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
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
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, 2017Very 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
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.
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
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