Spoiled for choice
The last time I checked, there were more than 700 New Zealand pinot noirs on the shelves. Many are prestigious, high-priced labels, often from single vineyards, where the winegrowers are keen to reflect key aspects of climate, soil and topography. Others just set out to give you a delicious mouthful of red wine at an affordable price.
The good news is that there are plenty of attractive, satisfying pinot noirs for $30 or less – often a lot less.
Alexander Dusty Road Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020
Crafted for early drinking, but ageworthy, too, this secondtier red consistently offers irresistible value. Estategrown and aged in French oak barriques, this deeply coloured wine is mouthfilling and savoury, with generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours that are gently seasoned with oak, and excellent depth and harmony. $28
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Noir 2020
This estate-grown, ageworthy wine was handpicked from 19-year-old vines at Tasman Village and matured for
