2012, 2014, 2016 New Zealand Pinot Noir Tasting Lot

2012 Cashburn Pinot Noir Central Otago

Cashburn is the more immediate Pinot Noir bottling associated with Burn Cottage, the Central Otago estate founded by Marquis and Dianne Sauvage with biodynamic farming central to the project from the outset. Ted Lemon of Littorai was involved as consulting winemaker, giving the label a clear link to one of New Zealand’s most closely watched Pinot Noir estates.

2014 Mt. Beautiful Pinot Noir North Canterbury

90 points Tasting Pannel Magazine : "Cherry fruit; spicy and savory with balance and crisp style; bright and balanced." Winemaker's Notes: "Anyway you look at it, our Pinot Noir is the pinnacle of what we at Mt. Beautiful are all about. Subtlety is the secret inside this wine. It begins with sophisticated fragrances of black cherries and violets while showcasing an elegantly expressive palate of ripe bramble fruit and subtle tannins. The Pinot Noir is planted on the Southern section, which has the highest elevation in the vineyard, providing extra warmth and less exposure to frost. In addition to this our Pinot Noir is closely planted to reduce vigor resulting in lower crop levels, allowing us to ripen these grapes to achieve a true expression of this variety. Our Pinot Noir is all hand tended throughout the season and at harvest. Pair our Mt. Beautiful Pinot Noir with crispy duck, wild pork and water cress sandwiches, spring lamb, or a romantic mood."

2016 Escarpment "Kiwa" Pinot Noir Martinborough

2016 Escarpment "Kupe" Pinot Noir Martinborough

Kupe is Escarpment's top single-vineyard Pinot Noir, drawn from the estate's home block on Te Muna Road in Martinborough. The site was planted in the late 1990s and named for the Polynesian navigator Kupe, with longtime winemaker Larry McKenna helping define the estate's Burgundy-minded approach to Pinot Noir in New Zealand.