The 2023 Sheild Pinot Noir might just be the perfect wine for springtime: it’s fresh and vibrant, bursting with youthful fruit flavors, and it’s incredibly silky and seamless on the palate. Hailing from Nelson, at the very top of the South Island, this is a delicate, fine-boned example of Pinot Noir that also completely overdelivers for its modest price point. Compared to warmer or more southerly regions of New Zealand, the wines of Nelson are known for being lighter-bodied on the palate, with more subtle earthy notes. Proximity to the ocean lends a coastal feel to the wine, while the region’s ample sunshine ensures perfectly ripe fruit. And while the purity of the fruit in this wine – juicy red cherries, wild raspberry – clearly speaks to the New World, there’s something distinctly Old World about the freshness of the palate and the electric backbone of acidity. It’s just superbly light on its feel and elegant in expression. According to winemaker Trudy Sheild, this wine is crafted from three Pinot Noir clones – Abel, 10/5, and Pommard – with the inclusion of 40% whole clusters during fermentation, which amplifies the bright freshness of the fruit. The wine was then matured in French oak barrels for 9 months, 25% of which were new. In other words, at under $20 per bottle, this is a screaming deal for the quality of winemaking and regional expression of the wine. With only about 1000 cases made, this also is a wine to stock up on by the case.

I have long enjoyed the white wines of Sheild, so it was both interesting (and fun!) to try a brand-new red wine from them, especially a Pinot Noir. On the first whiff, there are extremely pleasant scents of smoky cherries and black raspberries. There is also an underlying clean scent of crunchy red fruits. In the mouth, there is a very attractive weight and smoothness that still comes off as quite bright with the acidity hitting the back of the throat. There are flavors of underripe strawberries, tart cherries and a light sandalwood. It finishes with a lovely brightness and just a touch of rose hips. The texture is very supple and the brightness shines through after some lightly plush red fruits. All in all, delicious and quite the value!