Bing cherry, sassafras, crushed raspberry. Rhubarb compote, baking spice, tart cranberry juice. Shaved cedar and cinnamon, crushed rocks and dried sweat. Clean red berries and holiday spice lead a charge into root vegetables and Pinot funk. Bright, expressive, and correct. This 2016 Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir by Trinity Hill Wines is textbook New Zealand Pinot from an unlikely wine region.

The Hawkes Bay wine growing region, located on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, is not typically associated with Pinot Noir. Its climates and soils are closer to that of Bordeaux than Burgundy and a majority of the plantings here are dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. Despite this there are some cooler microclimates in the region where Pinot Noir can grow quite well. This bottling, crafted by Trinity Hill Wines, is composed of 100% Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir. At 12.5% ABV it remains fresh and sprightly while still showing good ripeness and a fun & spunky personality. The fruit here is all red with typical NZ spice and some unique notes of stone, likely derived from the gravel rich alluvial soils of Hawkes Bay. Juicy acidity and a bite of tannin round out this well-built medium bodied wine.