
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a red grape that is one of the most challenging to grow in any part of the world. Due to its thin skin and tight bunches, it is susceptible to both mould and disease. However, when it is successful, it produces some of the most amazing wines in the world. Although its home is Burgundy, it has emerged as a popular variety in Australia. Representing only 1% of grapes crushed, it has built a high profile with a number of world-class, distinctly Australian wines being produced. The greatest examples coming from the cool climates of the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, the Yarra Valley and Great Southern.
Pinot Noir performs well on the deepish limestone based subsoils that are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. However, yields need to be kept in check. Pinot Noir's concentration and varietal characters disappear rapidly if yields are excessive. Some of the best and most expensive wines in the world are still found in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir also plays a key role in Champagne, being blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In the US, Oregon and Washington state are producing outstanding wines. In New Zealand, great Pinot Noirs are crafted in Martinborough and in Central Otago, New Zealand's only true continental climate.
The thin skins of Pinot Noir mean the wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However, the best wines have grippy tannins, fragrance and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, but as it matures, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouthfeel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey nuances emerging.
Pinot Noir performs well on the deepish limestone based subsoils that are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. However, yields need to be kept in check. Pinot Noir's concentration and varietal characters disappear rapidly if yields are excessive. Some of the best and most expensive wines in the world are still found in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir also plays a key role in Champagne, being blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In the US, Oregon and Washington state are producing outstanding wines. In New Zealand, great Pinot Noirs are crafted in Martinborough and in Central Otago, New Zealand's only true continental climate.
The thin skins of Pinot Noir mean the wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However, the best wines have grippy tannins, fragrance and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, but as it matures, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouthfeel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey nuances emerging.
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- Exclusively produced for United Cellars from vineyards in the northern Wairarapa. Ripe cherry and plum fruit characters are complemented on the nose by spicy, toasty oak. The flavour is all about fruit freshness, with a mouth-filling, supple finish. ... Learn MoreTEMPEST COVE PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$19.99 Per item
- Made exclusively for United Cellars by New Zealand winemaking superstar Rebecca Salmond. High quality, single vineyard, artisanal wines from certified organic sites & made with minimal intervention. Perfumed with bright raspberry, blackberry & cherry fruit that leads to a full, fragrant palate. ... Learn MoreUC SELECTIONS PINOT NOIR BY REBECCA SALMOND 2016NZ$22.99 Per item
- Youthful, fruity & mouth-wateringly delicious. Sourced from the northern Wairarapa & made by the multi-award winning Miles Dineen. Ripe cherry and plum fruit characters are complemented on the nose by spicy, toasty oak. The flavour is all about fruit freshness, with a ... Learn MoreME BY MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$23.99 Per itemOut of stock
- A single vineyard, hand harvested fruit from a secret multi-award winning site & Otago's legendary wine producers, Matt & James Dicey. Aged on 15% new French oak and on lees for 10 months, this wine exudes fragrances of dark berry, mixed spice, toasted almonds ... Learn MoreFIFTH BRIDGE PINOT NOIR 2017NZ$27.99 Per itemOut of stock
- A fine example of a Waitaki Pinot Noir with great fruit flavours surrounded by “forest floor” characteristics of a French Burgundy, with a long peppery finish. It has a beautiful balance with lovely acidity, freshness, elegance and even though it ... Learn MoreBLACK STILT PINOT NOIR 2014NZ$28.99 Per itemOut of stock
- A double Gold Medal winning, single vineyard, Central Otago Pinot Noir! Attractive aromatics of red cherry & spiced plum, with fresh herbs in the background. Beautifully balanced & approachable, with smooth red berry notes & subtle complexity. ... Learn MoreMOUNT MICHAEL THE MOUNTAINEER PINOT NOIR 2017NZ$29.99 Per item
- A youthful, fresh & fruit forward Pinot Noir. Certified organic, biobynamic & hand picked fruit from Marlborough. Carefully curated by the Bourgeois family in Sancerre. Smooth, silky and lightly textured, with flavours of cherry cola, cranberry and dried herbs. ... Learn MoreCLOS HENRI "PETIT CLOS" PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$32.99 Per item
- An elegantly soft & velveteen Pinot Noir, aged on 31% new French oak for 12 months before bottling. Medium bodied red currant, vanilla & violet notes, with a fine grained tannin structure of mocha & charred oak. "Mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with very good complexity ... Learn MoreBALD HILLS 3 ACRES PINOT NOIR 2016NZ$33.99 Per item
- Crafted from hand harvest, single vineyard, Bendigo fruit. A bright yet powerful wine, delivering voluptuous red berry aromatics, subtle oak influence & smooth, moreish tannins. An incredible value, boutique Pinot Noir, as no reserve tier was created in 2015. ... Learn MoreMOUNT MICHAEL PINOT NOIR 2015NZ$34.99 Per item
- Superb Pinot Noir from some of the Waipara's oldest vines & made by Ostler's winemaker Jeff Sinnott. Striking, seductive aromatics of bright red fruits, winter spice & subtle umami, with a poised, silken palate. A complete & harmonious drop that defines high quality, ... Learn MoreTHE BONELINE WAIMANU PINOT NOIR 2016NZ$34.99 Per item
- A very rare, dreamily soft & smooth Burgundian-style Pinot Noir. Grown on the steep hillsides inside an extinct volcanic crater, just above the town of Akaroa on a small, family owned vineyard (one of only 3 in the region). A luscious palate ... Learn MoreMENISCUS PINOT NOIR 2015NZ$37.98 Per item
- This Pinot Noir is an excellent example of a young wine ready to drink now, but with the potential to grow into an elegant wine, representing the stunning 2018 vintage. A lifted bouquet of sweet violet, a touch of oak spice ... Learn MoreHAWKSHEAD PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$39.99 Per item
- Encapsulating a beautifully natural, fruit driven exuberance, with a depth of chewy plum, mulberry and raspberry. 100% organic, biodynamic & hand harvested from the estate's highest terraces at 295m above sea level. 15% whole bunch pressed & oak aged aged for 10 months, making this ... Learn MoreDOMAINE THOMSON "EXPLORER" PINOT NOIR 2017NZ$39.99 Per item
- An alluring nose of sweet red berries and cherry notes, with savoury characters of undergrowth and mushroom. Bold yet elegant the palate is concentrated and rich with red berry and cherry elements seamlessly integrated with fine tannins. So incredibly vibrant, ... Learn MoreLAMONT PINOT NOIR 2016NZ$41.99 Per item
- Created from previously abandonded vines planted in 1932 that produce ultra-concentrated fruit. Aged for 12 months in French oak. The benchmark of South American Pinot Noir. Created by the grandson of the legendary Sassacaia winemaker.“One of the 50 best wines in the ... Learn MoreBODEGA CHACRA 'BARDA' PINOT NOIR 2016NZ$41.99 Per item
- Since 1993, Foxes Island Pinot Noir has been the flagship of the highly respected house under the direction of international winemaker John Belsham. With a commitment to cellar ageing prior to release, Foxes Island Pinot Noir is always a standout. Powerful. ... Learn MoreFOXES ISLAND PINOT NOIR 2012NZ$43.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Intense aromatics of vibrant cherry, smokey boysenberry & savoury undertones. Generous fruit flavours of chewy black cherry, plum & rasberry compote with drying, chalky tannins. A complex style of Pinot Noir showing the abundant fruit of NZ combined with the robust tannins ... Learn MoreTONGUE IN GROOVE CABAL VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2015NZ$44.99 Per item
- Lovingly crafted by Dean Shaw, from a premium parcel of fruit from Nevis Bluff, with limited intervention. Bright ruby red with deep aromas of sweet plum, light cherry cola & hints of toasty truffles. Light-medium bodied with soft, inviting raspberry, plum & ... Learn MoreTHE TAPUI COLLECTION PINOT NOIR BY DEAN SHAW 2018NZ$44.99 Per item
- A truly boutique, certified organic producer from Central Otago that stands head and shoulders above most. Elegantly understated & impressively refined for serious Pinot lovers. Perfumed with lovely aromatics, there is a range of complex fruit notes of darker berries, some ... Learn MoreMOUNT EDWARD PINOT NOIR 2016NZ$44.99 Per item
- World-class Burgundy from the incredible terroir of Central Otago. Elegantly light with a complex, savoury depth. 100% orgainic, biodynamic and hand harvested with 26% whole bunch pressed. Aged for 10 months on 20% new French oak. ... Learn MoreDOMAINE THOMSON "SURVEYOR THOMSON" PINOT NOIR 2014NZ$46.99 Per item
- Gold Medal winner - NZIWS. Pure Gold winner - Bragato Wine Awards. A medium bodied, complex & elegant wine with a generous, inviting nose & vibrant flavours of red & black cherry, mushroom & spice. Carefully hand harvested from a single vineyard & aged on 29% ... Learn MoreBALD HILLS SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2014NZ$49.99 Per item
- Limited edition, vintage methode traditionnelle with 100% Pinot Noir. Certified organic and meticulously run by the famous Sancerre wine growing family of Henri Bourgeois. Named after the vineyard's iconic country church, the grapes are lightly whole bunch pressed & aged for a ... Learn More
- This special cuvee is only made in the best of years, from the best barrels. A savoury nose with hints of black cherry, red plum and earthy characters. A savoury nose with hints of black cherry, red plum and earthy ... Learn MoreMA MAISON 'TWO RICHARDS' PINOT NOIR 2014NZ$56.99 Per itemOut of stock
- A limited edition reserve by winemaker Dean Shaw from the first 37 rows of the vineyard. Whole bunch pressed & aged for 11 months in 25% new oak barrels. Mouth-fillingly rich & energetic, with generous plum, black cherry and fennel flavours. Individually numbered, with only 204 ... Learn MoreDOMAINE THOMSON "ROWS 1-37" PINOT NOIR 2014NZ$57.99 Per item
- Winner of the IWC Sustainable Award- 2016. From over 12 hectares of vines planted at 380m above sea level & dedicated entirely to Pinot Noir, only the very best of the harvest goes into making Akitu. 40% whole bunch pressed into 25% new oak, this ... Learn MoreAKITU A1 PINOT NOIR 2016NZ$59.00 Per item
- World-class Burgundy from the incredible terroir of Central Otago. Elegantly light with a complex, savoury depth. 100% orgainic, biodynamic and hand harvested with 26% whole bunch pressed. Aged for 10 months on 20% new French oak. ... Learn MoreDOMAINE THOMSON "SURVEYOR THOMSON" PINOT NOIR 2015NZ$64.99 Per item
- Valli’s Gibbston reflects one of the coolest sub regions of Otago, producing wines of elegance and complexity of flavour. An alluring ripe cherry, raspberry and rose petal nose, with nuances of mushroom and cardamom. A sophisticated and layered palate ... Learn MoreVALLI 'GIBBSTON VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2017NZ$64.99 Per itemOut of stock
- A real gem for lovers of Waitaki or Burgundian Pinot Noir, showing incredible consistency in the perfume and minerality of the wines. Engaging and fragrant in it's youth with fruit aromas of wild strawberry, sweet cherry, and plum married with ... Learn MoreVALLI 'WAITAKI VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2017NZ$64.99 Per item
- Valli's Bendigo is reflects the very warm climate of this area producing dark, rich, lush wines. Showcasing aromas of Cherry Cola, now synonymous with Valli Pinot Noir, along with notes of boysenberry, mulberry, coconut and vanilla. Dense, powerful and persistent ... Learn MoreVALLI 'BENDIGO VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2017NZ$64.99 Per item
- Valli's Bannockburn wines reflect the warm climate of the area by displaying denser, more powerful Pinot Noir flavours. Aromatics balanced between power and poise showcase wild florals, along with plump berries, violets and wood smoke. An energetic palate with bright ... Learn MoreVALLI 'BANNOCKBURN VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2017NZ$64.99 Per item
- Valli’s Gibbston reflects one of the coolest sub regions of Otago, producing wines of elegance and complexity of flavour. An alluring ripe cherry, raspberry and rose petal nose, with nuances of mushroom and cardamom. A sophisticated and layered palate ... Learn MoreVALLI 'GIBBSTON VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2016NZ$68.99 Per item
- Valli's Bannockburn wines reflect the warm climate of the area by displaying denser, more powerful Pinot Noir flavours. Aromatics balanced between power and poise showcase wild florals, along with plump berries, violets and wood smoke. An energetic palate with bright ... Learn MoreVALLI 'BANNOCKBURN VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$69.99 Per item
- A real gem for lovers of Waitaki or Burgundian Pinot Noir, showing incredible consistency in the perfume and minerality of the wines. Engaging and fragrant in it's youth with fruit aromas of wild strawberry, sweet cherry, and plum married with ... Learn MoreVALLI 'WAITAKI VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$69.99 Per item
- Valli's Bendigo is reflects the very warm climate of this area producing dark, rich, lush wines. Showcasing aromas of Cherry Cola, now synonymous with Valli Pinot Noir, along with notes of boysenberry, mulberry, coconut and vanilla. Dense, powerful and persistent ... Learn MoreVALLI 'BENDIGO VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$69.99 Per item
- Valli’s Gibbston reflects one of the coolest sub regions of Otago, producing wines of elegance and complexity of flavour. An alluring ripe cherry, raspberry and rose petal nose, with nuances of mushroom and cardamom. A sophisticated and layered palate ... Learn MoreVALLI 'GIBBSTON VINEYARD' PINOT NOIR 2018NZ$69.99 Per item
- A very special limited release, made by the legendary Grant Taylor & renowned New Zealand artist Shane Cotton. An incredible, intoxicating nose of blood orange, tamarillo, baking spice and macerated red fruits, with an herbaceous undertone. The palate is a three-act ... Learn MoreTAIMANA WAITAKI PINOT NOIR 2013NZ$76.99 Per item
- A beautifully rich, reserve tier Pinot Noir, only made in exceptional years, by the renowned Dean Shaw. Exotic black fruit flavours with soft & intense elegant tannins. Hand selected, hand harvested & hand sorted for exceptional quality. ... Learn MoreNEVIS BLUFF RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2015NZ$80.01 Per item
- A beautifully rich, reserve tier Pinot Noir, only made in exceptional years, by the renowned Dean Shaw. A concentrated, medium to full bodied wine with aromas of Maraschino cherry, thyme and wild game. Lovely balance and intense yet soft and ... Learn MoreNEVIS BLUFF RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2014NZ$80.01 Per itemOut of stock
- Extremely rare, small parcel Gevrey-Chambertin of amazing elegance & finesse. From what is being claimed as "the vintage of a lifetime" this wine is a perfect combination of fruit, structure & sensuality. Endlessly smooth, soft & complex with easily 10-20 years of cellaring. ... Learn MoreDOMAINE THOMSON GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN "LES EVOCELLES" 2015NZ$114.99 Per itemOut of stock
- An extremely limited, individually numbered release, made by Grant Taylor. Pure, vibrant Pinot Noir with red cherry, subtle herb, raspberry & spice from Gibbston Valley. 33% whole bunch pressed and aged for 11 months in 33% new oak- a beautifully refined & elegant wine. ... Learn More