DOMAINE MICHELE & PATRICE RION Vieilles Vignes, Nuits-St-Georges

This has the intensity and depth of flavour the Central Otago region is becoming renowned for. Mocha spice, blood plums and dark cherry characters with a seamless, silky texture and fine tannins that will see this develop for several years yet. 'Making good use of the Gibbston, Lowburn and Bendigo sub-regions of Central Otago, this readily available, quality pinot noir is medium-bodied with rhubarb and cranberry fruit. These silky-on-palate fruit aspects are lifted with hints of graphite minerals.' - 92 Points, Courier Mail, Brisbane, 14 Sep 2013, by Alan Hunter.

The unique terroir consisting of ancient stony soils allow the premier Pinot Noirs from Craggy Range to ripen gradually while still retaining perfect acid balance. This is on show perfectly in the Te Muna Road Pinot Noir that is sourced from the higher terrace on the Te Muna Road Estate which is planted with eight clones of Pinot in more than 40 different parcels. From this eclectic bunch the grapes are hand-picked and fermented naturally before spending eight months in French oak. The result is a Pinot of class and structure; dark and brooding with a texture not dissimilar to silk.

This Pinot noir is the flagship from Two Paddocks an organically grown barrel selection from the estate properties. As in the vineyard, the wine is hand crafted using traditional methods including a 25% whole bunch indigenous fermentation and hand plunging. Maturation is in French barriques for 11 months, using a mix of older and new (25%) barrels.

The palate is rich and mouth filling, with up front fruit sweetness balanced by a fine juicy acidity. Notes of dark berry fruits, exotic spice and toast fill the mid palate framed by fine chalky tannins before finishing with lingering suggestions of earth and mushrooms. Alan Peters Oswald, Winemaker, Nanny Goat - Curiosity drives Alan Peters-Oswald to try something new, interesting and different just to see what the outcome is. He lets each individual parcel of fruit shine in its own right, and also believes that by combining a number of unique parcels in a larger blend you can produce a wine that is multi-faceted, interesting and evolves in the glass, creating a true sensory experience. Alans wines reflect his personality, in that theyre not flashy but are quietly confident. Give them time in the glass and youll be rewarded with a wine that is interesting and multi-layered. Just like him.

Rudi Bauer is part of the reason Central Otago is on the Pinot Wine Map so prominently. His Pinot's show great depth of colour with aromas of forest floor, earth and mouth filling flavours of berry and cherry fruits.

Moss Wood are not know for their Pinot Noir, however this is a fine a unique expression of region and variety. A fruit bomb of rich and integrated flavours of cherry, spice, charry oak and silky finesse on the finish. The flavours pop and linger in the mouth long after the wine has left it.

Paringa is one of Australia's best and most consistent Pinot producers. This wine shows superb varietal aromas of cherry, plum and spice, and the palate is long, textured and complex. With the ability to be cellared for the medium to long term, Lindsay McCall's Estate Pinot is a certainty to be included in any cellar of a great Pinot Noir lover.

Stonier are the pioneers of the premium region that is the Mornington Peninsula. This outstanding Pinot Noir displays pure elegance and complexity. Dark cherry fruit flavours are balanced by gamey undertones and a savoury finish.

Felton Road really is a fine winemaker. This is its regular bottling and what a wine, with lush, dark cherry and mysterious foresty aromas. It's very ripe and rich and the palate has intensity and drive, with fresh acidity keeping it all singing.

Yabby Lake Pinot Noir has an intense and complex aroma with great depth of character. Bursting with red and dark fruits, the wine is fine and complex with a long, juicy palate. There is excellent persistence on the polished finish.