Pinot Noir, 'Moonlight Race'

Score

93

Score

96

Score

95

Score

91

"Medium-deep bright ruby colour. Blueberry, mulberry, thyme, candied lavender and violet soar from the glass. Then similar flavours in the mouth, with a fruit cocktail of dark berries and subtle herbs greeting the taste buds and lingering nicely on the creamy but fresh finish that offers a slowly-building savoury undertone. Spends about twelve months in oak (25% new). This is a very pretty Pinot Noir: lovely, juicy, and vibrant, it is made by sourcing fruit in two north-facing vineyards (Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn and Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn planted at the south end of the Pisa Range in Central Otago's Cromwell basin). Drinking window: 2024-2029."

Score

93

"The 2021 Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is a blend of three different vineyards and multiple blocks and clones (56% is Burn Cottage in Lowburn, 22% is Sauvage Vineyard and 22% is Luna Vineyard in Bannockburn). On the nose, there is fresh red cherry, plum skin, raspberry pip and brine. The tannins are super fine in the mouth—pulverized and chalky. This is a gorgeous wine, mineral and cooling, with a svelte shape and satisfying flow of flavor across the tongue. Great! And, it must also be said, great value. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."

Score

95

"Fragrant and wonderfully expressive, with dried lavender and rose petal aromatics, along with notes of rooibos tea, blueberry preserves, wild blackberry and raspberry, while hints of tarragon and toasted cumin linger on the velvety finish. Drink now through 2034. 2,300 cases made, 500 cases imported."

Score

96

"I really like the crunchy character to this, with ripe, al dente pinot noir character highlighting the strawberry and lemon notes. Medium-bodied, lively and energetic with citrus and crushed stone undertones. This is so satisfying and fresh. Drink now. Screw cap."

Score

91

"If you're looking for a pure and unadulterated Central Otago Pinot that shows class but won't break the bank, you'll find it in the 2022 Moonlight Race. It's suave and comfortable in itself. This is a chilled out, no worries Kiwi Pinot with plenty of class. Supple, concentrated and savory with fine-grained cocoa-like tannins. It is all oh-so-Central black cherries with orange peel, subtle clove and garrigue. It's a wine you can happily drink now but has the frame and fruit content to see out the decade. Being impatient, I will struggle to wait that long."

Score

94

"The 2022 Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is supple and spicy, with pink peppercorn, cherry blossom, red apple skins, a hint of blond tobacco and white pepper. The wine is light in the glass (but vibrant) and the tannins suit it—they are totally fresh and fine—finely milled and like poudre. Superb, silky, totally satisfying and enlivening. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Here are some technical numbers for you. Vineyard percentage is 56% Burn Cottage Vineyard, 22% from the Sauvage Vineyard and 22% from Luna Vineyard. Seven percent whole bunch was in the ferment with 17 days on skins and oak included 22% new French oak. The wine's pH is 3.73, with a total acidity of five grams per liter."

Score

95

"Generous, juicy and concentrated, offering maraschino cherry, blackberry and white pepper notes, with pomegranate and oud hints, plus touches of caramelized brown sugar and allspice. The tannins are equally juicy, dense and plush, with a long, wonderfully expressive finish. Drink now through 2036.‡MaryAnn Worobiec"