Martinborough’s reputation for producing top-of-the-line Pinot Noir, which is also Aotearoa/New Zealand’s leading red grape variety, is widely recognised.
While those Pinot’s which make Top 10 lists vary according to the tastes of the list-makers, locally produced Pinot Noir shoulders its way into most groupings.
Master of Wines Bob Campbell is the latest to enter the lists fray.
“I have selected a handful of reliable Pinot Noir labels that have consistently performed with distinction over a number of years,” he wrote recently in BusinessDesk’s “The Life” column.
Campbell has five local Pinots in his Top 10. In order:
1. Craggy Range Aroha Te Muna Pinot Noir _ Martinborough
2. Dry River Pinot Noir _ Martinborough
3. Felton Road Pinot Noir _ Central Otago
4. Ata Rangi Pinot Noir _ Martinborough
5. Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir _ Martinborough
6. Prophet’s Rock Retrospect Pinot Noir _ Central Otago
7. Kusuda Pinot Noir _ Martinborough
8. Neudorf Home Block Moutere Pinot Noir _ Nelson
9. Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Pinot Noir _ Central Otago
10. Amisfield RKV Reserve Pinot Noir _ Central Otago
Cuisine Magazine has also rated Martinborough’s Pinot Noirs highly, with three in the Top 10.
The Top 5 on the list were awarded 5-Star ratings.
Cuisine’s order:
1. Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2020 _ Martinborough
2. Nga Waka Pinot Noir 2020 _ Martinborough
3. Saint Clair James Sinclair Pinot Noir 2021 _ Marlborough
4. Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir 2021 _ Martinborough
5. St Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir _ Marlborough
6. Waimea Pinot Noir 2019 _ Nelson
7. Lake Chalice The Raptor Pinot Noir 2012 _ Marlborough
8. Tohu Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2019 _ Marlborough
9. Peregrine Pinot Noir 2020 _ Central Otago
10. Ayrburn Whimsy Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 _ Central Otago
