New Zealand Pinot Noir is in a good place! Tasting 27 examples from across the country
These wines were tasted at the new release tasting in London, October 2025. A good selection from across New Zealand with some real gems. The full line up of the Felton Road 2024 releases was included, and these were sensational.
Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir 2021 Waitaki, Otago, New Zealand
Floral and vibrant with lovely cherry and raspberry nose. Vibrant raspberry crunch on the palate with some spicy detail. Nice structure and vitality here. 95/100
Hans Pinot Noir 2022 Marlborough, New Zealand
Supple redcurrant and raspberry fruit. Juicy with nice acidity. Good definition here with some grip. 94/100
Spy Valley Johnson Envoy Pinot Noir 2021 Marlborough, New Zealand
Supple, elegant style with fine cherries and raspberries. Nice elegance here, with juiciness too. 95/100
Chard Farm Mason Pinot Noir 2022 Central Otago, New Zealand
There’s a little bit of reduction, as well as vibrant red cherry and cranberry fruit. Light and delicate in style. 93/100
Chard Farm Viper Pinot Noir 2022 Central Otago, New Zealand
Tight, light and elegant with a mineral undertow to the redcurrant and cherry fruit. Very light and expressive. 94/100
Dicey Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2020 Central Otago, New Zealand
Some development here. Juicy strawberry and cherry with some herby detail. 92/100
Auntsfield Pinot Noir 2022 Marlborough, New Zealand
Sweet cherries and raspberries, with nice texture. There’s richness here and some spicy detail. 93/100
Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2022 Martinborough, New Zealand
Supple and elegant with fine grained structure, some spiciness and appealing herby notes. Nice elegance and power. 95/100
Loveblock Pinot Noir 2022 Central Otago, New Zealand
Supple with some nice green notes alongside cherry and raspberry fruit. Bright and fruit driven. 92/100
Brennan Gibbston Pinot Noir 2023 Central Otago, New Zealand
Green edge to the supple redcurrant and cherry fruit. Has a slightly bitter tang on the finish. 91/100
Akarua The Siren Pinot Noir 2023 Central Otago, New Zealand
Juicy, bright and lively with pure cherry and redcurrant fruit with a finely spiced edge. Nice weight here. 93/100
Rockburn The Chosen Pinot Noir 2023 Central Otago, New Zealand
This is an elegant style with lovely direct cherry fruit. Pure and linear with nice floral detail. Supple and stylish. 94/100
Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024 Central Otago, New Zealand
Elegant red cherries. Sweetly expressive. The palate is textural and elegant with silky detail. Cherries and plums. So fine and pure. 95/100
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2024 Central Otago, New Zealand
Taut, floral, elegant nose. Lovely structure and finesse on the palate with fine red cherries and some real finesse. 96/100
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2024 Central Otago, New Zealand
Compact yet with some nice weight and structure. Raspberry and cherry fruit with good structure. It’s rich and floral but there’s structure too. 96/100
Felton Road McMuir Pinot Noir 2024 Central Otago, New Zealand
This is a lovely silky, textural Pinot Noir with good structure hiding under the fruit. There’s a nice green hint to the raspberry and cherry fruit, with good intensity and a nice acid line. 95/100
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2024 Central Otago, New Zealand
Good intensity to this wine with a touch of wood under the focused raspberry and black cherry fruit. Nice grip, with real potential for development. 96/100
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2024 Central Otago, New Zealand
Cherry and raspberry nose with nice floral hints. Very precise on the palate with both flesh and structure, showing real presence. 97/100
Giesen Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
Deeply coloured. Bold and nicely structured with red cherry and raspberry fruit, showing nice acidity and structure. Very pure and fine. 95/100
Novum Pinot Noir 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
Direct and bold, but also floral, showing some nice green hints. Silky and sappy with nice acidity, and lovely presence. 94/100
Hunters Offshoot Pinot Noir 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
This shows a green edge to the sweet and sour redcurrant and cherry fruit, with a spicy edge. 90/100
Q Pinot Noir 2024 Waitaki, Otago, New Zealand
Fresh, pure, vivid and floral with nice acidity and structure. Very stylish with lovely red fruit character. 94/100
St Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2023 Marlborough, New Zealand
Fresh and elegant with notes of redcurrants, herbs, red cherries and fine spices. Elegant style. 93/100
Jules Taylor Pinot Noir 2023 Marlborough, New Zealand
Supple and elegant in style with redcurrants and cherries, as well as some spice. Nice grip here. Juicy and fresh. 93/100
Mahi Pinot Noir 2023 Marlborough, New Zealand
Juicy and elegant with red cherries, plums and appealing spiciness. There’s a bit of grip. Shows a lovely finely spiced finish. 94/100
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2023 North Canterbury, New Zealand
Juicy and supple with nice weight. Redcurrant and strawberry fruit with some raspberry brightness. Shows good acidity. 94/100
