2020 Hunting Hill Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Hunting Hill Pinot Noir is fleshy, soft and pretty —a nice difference to the Ray's Road (planted on limestone in Hawke's Bay). In 2022, these vines were pulled out due to disease, so the 2022 vintage will be the last Hunting Hill Pinot Noir. There is a really pleasurable pull/push of sweet fruit and savory structure, making for engaging drinking. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
More reviews and scores
West-coast breezes cool this north-facing, undulating site. Clay soils. They replaced some virused Chardonnay with Dijon clones of Pinot. Aged for 12 months in oak (10–15% new). Bright, deep garnet. Big and rich – much richer than the Rays Road 2020. Quite voluptuous. Just kept in check by NZ acidity. Some intense strawberry fruit. Velvety texture. Again just very slightly hard on the end. But it’s already delivering lots of pleasure. My guess is that Rays Road Pinot will catch up with this one in terms of sophistication. (JR)
The 2020 Pinot Noir Hunting Hill is a silken, spiced and savory style. It has a ripe, expressive personality that invites you in. Its floral and sweet fruit open proceedings before becoming progressively more savory. Smoky paprika notes join meaty characters, reminiscent of a good Spanish chorizo sausage. It's clear there's plenty of concentration with a serious and firm finish. Mid-weight at most. Pinot Noir really shouldn't thrive in this part of New Zealand. The Brajkovich family seems to have the Midas touch.