Several of our Bordeaux-varietal based wines are well over the $100.00 mark, notably Stonyridge ‘Larose’ from Waiheke Island. And Montana’s ‘Tom’. Te Mata ‘Coleraine’ seems positively good value at around the $75.00 mark. Trinity Hill’s ‘Homage’ and Craggy Range’s ‘Le Sol’ Syrahs are nudging the $100.00 level. Our most expensive Chardonnays, such as Morton Estate ‘Coniglio’ seem cheap at $65.00 to $70.00. And Vinoptima’s Gewurztraminer is a steal at around $55.00. Pinot Noir, as we know can command a generally higher price than the above styles, by way of the reduction of yields and greater handling to make a first-class example. Many of our leading Pinot Noirs sit in the $75.00 to $100.00 range, such as Ata Rangi, Neudorf ‘Moutere Home Block’, Pegasus Bay ‘Prima Donna’, Amisfield’ Rocky Knoll’, and Gibbston Valley Reserve. All are highly regarded. But the jump of an extra 75%? How can that be justified? Do the ‘Marie Zelie’ and ‘Pinnacle’ deliver that much more?

Another perspective to consider is the global one. In each class, variety and style of wine, it has long been said and agreed that our New Zealand wines are way undervalued. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc beats Sancerre hands down, and is much lower in price. The recent comparisons of our Hawke’s Bay wines such as Sacred Hill ‘Helmsman’ and Newton-Forrest ‘Cornerstone’ against Chateaux Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild and the like see our wines, costing $50.00 - $70.00 standing without shame alongside wines $1,500.00+, and seemingly indistinguishable from them! With Pinot Noir and burgundy, premier cru wines start at over $100.00 and go easily to $250.00 a bottle. Don’t even ask about grand crus - $500.00+ anyone? In this light, Martinborough Vineyard ‘Marie Zelie’ and Peregine ‘Pinnacle’ offer extremely good value, as long as the quality is at our very best.

Martinborough Vineyard ‘Marie Zelie’ Pinot Noir 2006
A much anticipated wine, following the inaugural 2003 ‘Marie Zelie’, this second release is from the exceptional 2006 harvest, one of the best ever in Martinborough. Marie Zelie Hermance Frere was the first winemaker in the Wairarapa in the late 19^th century; her great, great niece marrying Derek Milne, one of the founders of Martinborough Vineyard. The wine was made by Claire Mulholland (now at Amisfield) and Paul Mason, being a selection of the four very best barrels of Pinot Noir wine from the vintage. The fruit was sourced from three sites, 26 year old 10/5 from the ‘Home Block’, 16 y.o. clone 5 from ‘Duncan’s Paddock’ and 4 y.o. Abel clone from the ‘Brewery Block’. 20% whole bunch, given a cool pre-fermentation maceration, native yeast fermentation with a peak temperature of 33°C, resulted in a wine at 14.0% alc. The wine was given 10 months maturation in 50% new French oak followed by a further 8 months in one and two year old oak. Only 984 bottles (82 dozen) were made.

Dark ruby red, almost impenetrable in colour. This like the 2003 ‘Marie Zelie’, captures the essence of Martinborough, with superbly complex dark plum and berry aromas, intermixed with savoury, forest floor nuances which unfold with time in the glass. On palate, the richness of the fruit is to the fore. Absolutely mouth-filling, with flavours of dark fruits, game and forest complexities. The wine has considerable extract and structure, yet the tannin presence is secondary to the fruit. If anything, it is the freshness and youthfulness of the wine in the mouth that is remarkable and a feature. This wine is an outstanding expression of Martinborough Pinot Noir at its best. It has the ability to develop greater interest over the next decade and more. A superb effort from one of the pioneer labels of the region.

Peregine ‘Pinnacle’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2007
If there has been one wine that has made a statement with its packaging and livery on release it is the Peregrine ‘Pinnacle’ Pinot Noir. The 2005 vintage came in a very heavy, dark-coloured, deeply punted bottle with a metal label and clip closure over Diam cork. Encasing the wine were the tasting notes cut on a mitre peak shape leaf, and a polished metal cylinder which housed the total package. Without any question, the wine measured up to, and surpassed all expectations that the looks created. The 2007 Central Otago vintage has been recognized as one producing wines of exhilarating concentration, richness, structure and quality. Peregrine was duty bound to produce their second ‘Pinnacle’ in this vintage. The packaging has been improved….. The same heavy-duty bottle has been used again. However, the tasting notes are held by a jess, a piece of leather falconry equipment used in supporting the bird to its handler, bound to the neck of the bottle. The metal canister now has a ridge built into the design for increased grip and security, interlocking the two halves. And the bottle is now screw-cap sealed. But does the wine measure up to the marketing?

The answer is a resounding “yes”! The ruby-red colour shows some lightening from extended barrel work. On bouquet, one sees that this is no ‘normal’ Central Otago expression, being brooding with a complex dusty-earthy, savoury overlay on ripe black and red berry fruits. It is the palate which impresses, with its magnificent structure and immense concentration of fine-grained tannins. One can easily sense the layers of fruit, oak and site characters interwoven, just waiting to unfold. Unlike the 2005 which delivered immediately, the taut 2007 demands 2-3 years bottle-age before opening. There is no doubt this wine will live a decade and develop a myriad of fascinating flavours. It is reminiscent of a top-flight Richebourg. The Peregrine ‘Pinnacle’ Pinot Noir 2007 was made from clones 5, 115, 667, 777, with smaller amounts of Abel, 10/5 and other Dijon variants, from vines 10-15 years old, 75% from the Cromwell Basin and 25% Gibbston Valley. The fruit was totally destemmed and fermented with indigenous and inoculated yeasts to a maximum of 34ºC after a cold soak. The resultant wine, at 14.0% alc. was aged 11 months in 48% new French oak, with a further 6 months maturation in a mix of new, one and two year old barrels. Only 1,000 bottles are available for sale in New Zealand.