Q Pinot Noir   

“Fragrant and attractive Pinot Noir, singing red fruit and floral supported by lacy acidity and a dusty long finish.”

“Intense, spiced, varietal and fruity, a complex bouquet with a core of dark cherry and spices, intense mineral and no mistaking the use of barrel for complexity and richness. Dry, still developing with a core of fruit surrounded by a frame of fine tannins with lots of polish, a backbone of acidity still yet a developing quality as the wine settles into a new phase. I really like the chalky mouthfeel softened by core dark berry and boysenberry flavours, there’s a flinty limestone quality and gently saline topline to the acidity. Well made with best drinking from 2028 through 2035+. I have previously said this wine has a bouquet of completeness and readiness - I am still of this opinion.”

“Delicate herbal lift, savoury tamarillo and black fruit with smoky wood spice. Mid-weight flavours with a sweet core flow over fine, chalky tannins before culminating in a tight, wood-trimmed finish with fresh, stalky crunch. An elegant, innately perfumed but more linear style which still needs another year or two to really relax and unfurl before it hits all of its notes”

“The signature style that runs through ‘Q’ wines is clear with this expression - aromas of mineral limestone and chalk, then scents of ripe dark cherry then vanilla, clove and wood smoke layers from barrel. Aromas and flavours of dark cherry and boysenberry, there’s a raspberry quality, plenty of structure from polished tannins and distinctive acid line. Dry, taut, definitive, balanced and lengthy, a delicious wine, still developing with best drinking from 2028 through 2036.”

“This crimson hued Pinot Noir is delicate yet with excellent depth. Refined and elegant fruit glide along a lacy, chalky mineral line and lend a long, enticing finish.”

“Moderately intense wine with cassis, black cherry, oyster shell, floral/rose petal, vanilla and spicy French oak. Youthful wine with good cellaring potential although the wine is accessible now”

“This refined Pinot Noir persist with elegant red fruit, fragrant floral, fine spice on a supple, chalky mouthfeel.”

“Taut, high energy wine with finesse and subtle power. Flavours include rose petal, violet, cherry and spice/anise. Approachable now and with good cellaring potential despite being light-bodied”

“A lighter hued appearance with some development showing at the rim. The bouquet reflects the style that is Q wines with the cherry and raspberry flesh then limestone. On the palate flavours of red berries and plum, fresh cherry flesh and raspberries then layers of texture from tannins and a back bone of acidity. Taut, youthful and developing. I feel this wine will age well, as well as offer earlier drinking. Fine, fresh, lighter weighted and dry. Floral and opulent. Best drinking from 2026 through 2030+.”

“A delicately and elegantly expressed Waitaki Pinot Noir with lovely concentration, a typical chalky thread and floral details accompanied by red fruit, on a silky mouthfeel and a lasting finish.”

“Youthful, fresh, varietal and vibrant bouquet with scents and flavours of crunchy red cherry and sweet cranberry, there’s a core of minerality with saline stony quality adding depth and complexity. Dry, taut and salivating with firm tannins and acidity needing time to fuse with the fruit and mineral attributes. Well made with plenty of length and potential. Best drinking from 2026 through 2034+.”

“A complex, spicy and peppery nose introduces a very restrained, silky palate with good clarity to the delicate flavours of blackberry and rose. Defined by high acidity, this has a lovely line running right across the palate. Long, precise, elegant and racy, it shows definition and freshness which will allow it to age gracefully”

“Q Wines was established in 2003 on a former sheep paddock by wine lover Jules Stephan and businesswoman Jules Matthews. Six hectares comprising Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are planted in the cool (in both senses of the word) Waitaki Valley in North Otago. The emphasis is on small-production, single-vineyard wines – and the 2024 vintage was a special one in Waitaki, a warm and dry season (the second warmest in the past 15 years) allowing an early harvest. This intriguing juxtaposition of a cool site and a warm year is reflected in this engaging Pinot, which shows fresh acidity and fine-boned tannin but also a richer dark fruit profile and brooding character. Smoky, herbal tones add to the complexity, as does a touch of flinty reduction. Refreshingly different.”

“Great colour and varietal bouquet with scents of boysenberry and raspberry flesh, dark cherry and layers of earth and barrel spice combinations. ripe, varietal and fruity with core flavours that reflect the bouquet. Use of barrel perfect, an abundance if fine tannins and acidity frame the palate perfectly. There’s a distinctive seashell mineral seam adding personality and a clear site voice. Best drinking from 2027 through 2033 though also drinkable today if you are keen.”

“Delicate and finely-woven tannins embrace the ripe red fruit, floral fragrance and gentle spices in silky, crisp, linear acidity ripples and carries to an elegant finish.”