One of the most exciting discoveries we made from a trip to New Zealand last year. Coal Pit is located in the Gibbston Valley sub region of Central Otago. Perfumed with violets, the nose is lifted and aromatic. Vibrant mid palate of black doris plum, wild herb, coffee and cassis backed by silky tannins and well integrated spicy oak. Take our word for it, you will not regret 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.

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.

Martinborough some consider to be the true home of New Zealand Pinot Noir, and it's hard to argue when wines like the Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir comes along. Lovely medium-bodied characters of asian spice, blackberry and dark cherry complimented by soft, velvet like tannins. A wine of true class that while very enjoyable now, will cellar wonderfully over the next decade.

The Tomboy Pinot Noir from Tomboy Hill is truly a hand made wine. Hand pruned, picked and sorted, but then a hands off approach is taken in winemaking. High quality fruit, maturation in new and old French Oak have created a wine of finesse, power and balance. A must for lovers of Pinot Noir.

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.

This has been a leading light for Central Otago for Pinot Noir, displaying perfumed ripeness with piercing clarity; dark fruits of the forest dominate the aroma, underpinned by floral and spice notes. Red fruit aromatics are underpinned by cherry and Christmas cake spice while the palate is well textured.

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.

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.