Top 10 Pinot Noir 2024
It’s that time of year again to celebrate New Zealand’s beloved red grape, Pinot Noir! This versatile variety flourishes in the cooler southern regions of our country, including Central Otago, Canterbury, Nelson and Marlborough, as well as Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay.
The recent 2022 and 2023 vintages have produced exceptional Pinot Noirs, particularly in Central Otago. Benefiting from La Niña’s warm spells, these regions experienced excellent yields and high-quality fruit. While the North Island faced some challenges due to unexpected rainfall, there are still some outstanding wines to be found.
In this year’s Top 10 Pinot Noir list, Central Otago dominates with six wines, showcasing the exceptional quality of this region. You’ll also find selections from North Otago, Marlborough, and Wairarapa. All 10 wines have scored 95 points or higher, with prices ranging from $49 to $115.
Please join me in tasting the Top 10 Pinot Noir lineup in Auckland and Queenstown. Seats are limited. Get your tickets now.
Escarpment Pahi Pinot Noir 2022, Martinborough
Escarpment Pahi is not a stranger to the Top 10 Pinot Noir lineup; it was also included in last year’s selection. Escarpment produces four single vineyards Pinot Noirs, Pahi is the pretty one.
The vineyard is on Te Muna Road opposite the Escarpment winery, made from a mix of clones, 115, CI5 and Able, fermented in open top curves with indigenous yeasts, 28 days on skins, then aged in French oak barriques for 20 months.
Clos Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir 2021, Waitaki Valley North Otago
Waitaki Valley is beautiful but challenging. The environment is difficult for the wine growers, but it is wonderful for the winemakers.
The marginal climate, limestone base soil, combined with the powerful winds and cool climate, allow the grapes to ripen slowly, retaining acidity despite the warm daytime sun. This results in low yield but is high in flavour, complexity, and concentration.
Colere Ashmore Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020, Marlborough
Fermented with 100% whole bunch, aged for 15 months on fine lees in a mixture of 30% older oak puncheons and 70% stainless steel. 13.5% alc. Bottled unfined, unfiltered.
Sorrell The Wrekin Pinot Noir 2022, Marlborough
Dan Sorrell fell in love with wine in the south of France and left behind a corporate career in London. He arrived in Marlborough via Western Australia, where he gained valuable winemaking experience in Margaret River.
Dan initiates the ferments four days ahead of harvest; he employs a pied de cuve technique, showcasing his belief that great wine starts in the vineyard. His minimal intervention philosophy underscores purity, a deep sense of place, and meticulous care.
Read the full review here.
Shop Sorrell Wines.
Coal Pit Tiwha Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago
The Gibbston-based Coal Pit vineyard and winery is fully committed to sustainability and authenticity, achieved BioGro organic certification in 2023.
The fruit of this wine is from their Gibbston vineyard, handpicked clones 115, 10/5, 777, 5. Wild fermented with 20% whole bunch to 13% alc, aged 10 months in French oak, 28% new oak. Bottle aged for 18 months prior to release.
Read the full review here.
Shop Coal Pit Wines.
Domaine Rewa Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago
The lovely couple Philippa & Yannink are the growers/producers of the biodynamic practiced/ BroGro organic certified vineyard Domaine Rewa, located in Lowburn, a sub-district of Central Otago.
Winemaker Pete Bartle fermented the fruit with 6% whole bunch, with indigenous yeasts to 14.1% alc over 9 days, with a total time of skins 18 days. Aged in French oak barriques for 12 months, 26% new oak.
Read the full review here.
Shop Domaine Rewa Wines.
Wild Earth Earth & Sky Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago
Owner and founder Quintin invented the “The Stoaker” and enjoys spending time in the kitchen, preparing delectable dishes and hosting guests at his bistro and bar, The Stoaker Room. He entrusted Elbert Jolink as General Manager of Wild Earth Wines and the skilled winemaker Jen Parr with the production of the wines.
Read the full review here.
Shop Wild Earth Wines.
Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022, Central Otago
It’s no surprise Valli is a regular on my Top 10 Pinot Noir list. The dream team at Valli produce wines that capture the essence of their terroir, earning well-deserved awards and a loyal following.
The fruit was sourced from Felton Road & Hall Road, fermented with 32% whole bunch, aged 11 months in French oak, 29% new oak.
Read the full review here.
Shop Valli Wines.
Moko Hills Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago
This up-and-coming star producer Donald van der Westhuizen’s passion for making terroir-driven wines shines through in every bottle. Handpicked grapes, minimal intervention, and 100% oak ageing create wines that truly reflect their origin.
Situated 350m above sea level on Bendigo Hill, planted clones 777, 115, Abel & UCD5. The fruit was split into 3 fermentors – 100% whole bunch, 70% whole bunch and 100% destemmed, natural yeast fermented, 23 days on skins, aged in 100% French oak barrels for 12 months, and underwent MLF in spring. Unfined, unfiltered.
Read full review here.
Shop Moko Hills Wines.
Misha’s Vineyard Verismo Pinot Noir 2019, Central Otago
It’s a rare find in the new world of wine. Misha’s dedication to crafting high-quality wines in Central Otago is evident in their 5-year-old Verismo Pinot Noir. A testament to their passion and commitment to the consumer.
The Bendigo fruit was cold-soaked for 5-7 days, then allowed to warm as the natural yeast ferment took place, an average of 28 days on skins, aged in 300-litre French oak barrels, 30% new oak in the final blend.
Read full review here.
Shop Misha’s Vineyard Wines.
