Pinot Noir: Rest of the New World

2016 Gold: 2 Silver: 6 Bronze: 12 Commended: 8
2015 Gold: 2 Silver: 13 Bronze: 5 Commended: 13

If New Zealand is ‘established’ and North America is ‘high quality but expensive’, the rest of the New World is still rather finding its feet with Pinot. Australia did reasonably well at reasonably fair pricing – but we’d have hoped for a bit more; Chile was as up and down as always; and South Africa was, sadly, a big disappointment. Come on Walker Bay, show us what you can do!

That said, the value for money was rather better in this section than elsewhere and there are some bargains to be had. Not least the ridiculously well-priced offering from Chile’s Señor Pinot, Adolfo Hurtado, at Cono Sur – a wine that, frankly, it’s impossible to dislike.

As a trend watch, San Antonio seems to be enhancing its credentials as a great place for Pinot in Chile. But Maule? I’m not sure anyone saw that coming…

FROM THE TASTING TEAMS

‘What is Chilean Pinot? I have tasted a lot of Chilean Pinot and there hasn’t been a theme.’ Charlie Young, Vinoteca

‘I was more impressed with the lower end of Australia – the easy-drinking wines. The top end were the same price as Oregon or premier cru Côte de Nuit. They didn’t have the complexity to charge that kind of money.’ Tamas Czinki, Northcote

‘I’d take Casablanca over Leyda for its juicy, aromatic and fresh style.’ James Hocking, The Vineyard Group

‘I’d like to have a Chilean Pinot on the list but it doesn’t have to be on. It’s not like Chablis.’ Jade Koch, team leader

‘I think screwcap has shot a lot of these [Australian] wines in the foot. They would have been more open and accessible under cork.’ James Fryer, Portland

“I get the impression that the Australians are trying to follow Burgundy, but they need to stick to what they can do well.” Michael Fiducia, Drake’s Restaurant