Mohua, Pinot Noir 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand

First they did excellent Sav Blanc and now New Zealand do excellent Point Noir.

With notes on the nose of flora, roasted peppers and cherries with undertones of pepper and coco you get a sense that this is a fine Pinot Noir. Flavours are lighter than the aromas, red fruit and oak come through with a fair bit of acidity. The tannins are smooth and this makes it very enjoyable.

I would have liked to try it with food, chicken or beef but on its own its lovely. The only downside is the £20 price tag per bottle. Its the price you pay for New Zealand Pinot Noir but it will put many people off.

Mohua, Pinot Noir 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand

Mohua, Pinot Noir 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand

Clocktower, Pinot Noir 2015, New Zealand

Light red fruit on the aromas and a browning of the colour points to this being a bit over it. 2015 Pinot Noir should have been fine but in reality this should have been drunk by year 2 or 3. There’s a fair bit of cherry, redcurrant, raspberry bit its very light. You get hints of coffee and coco but you have to really think about it.

It got a Commended at the Decanter Wine Wine Awards in 2017, which I would say was right for now but possibly a bronze back in 2017.

Clocktower, Pinot Noir 2015, New Zealand

Clocktower, Pinot Noir 2015, New Zealand