The 2023 Calvert Pinot Noir is abundantly berry driven on the nose, with ripe summer cherries, mulberry, forest floor, pomegranate molasses and peppercorns. In the mouth, the wine leads with firm tannins, which are laced with Szechuan peppercorns and sandalwood spice and brought into focus by acidity that skirts the edges of brisk but lands gently on juicy. This is a lovely wine, further compounding my affection for the wines of the 2023 vintage on the South Island. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

RS 0 g/l. Mid cherry. More sweetly perfumed than the Bannockburn. Pure peppery cherry, with a light stemmy/herbal note highlighting the freshness. Deliciously dry and fresh on the palate. Deep, whole and gently chewy. (JH)

A little grainy/herby on the nose. Good fruit concentration on the palate but then pretty tannic. I’m not sure I can see what they’re aiming at here. Dry on the finish. Perhaps Blair Walter (the winemaker) knows something I don’t – very likely! (JR)