Which Is Truly OZ & NZ "Hunt" wrote ......... My vinous senses were first aroused in 1984 when the first truly varietal NZ Pinots emerged - firstly St.Helena (Canterbury) then Martinborough Vineyards from the mid 80s. And yes, I have seen tremendous improvements over the intervening 20 years as numerous winemakers battle with this enigmatic grape. But I have never encountered the X factor to say "NZ pinot has arrived". I have come across a couple of new world PNs - I recall a Mondavi Reserve PN from the mid 80s and several from the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia which had the cherry, mushroom fruit and the smoky bacon savouriness together with that earthiness - and more! Yes, I have had NZ pinots with superb fruit (although fermented dry, there was almost a residual "sweetness" present which seems to detract!) - and yes, clever use of French oak imparts vanilla-smoke - but never have I had even one that say "oh yes! this is a cut-above" And I am not talking about making a new world burgundy look-alike. Some very good Pinot Noir has emerged out of NZ - perhaps another 20 years will start to see it reach a status as the red equivalent of sauvignon blanc. I expectantly await that time and that breakthrough wine. -- st.helier 
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