A quick trip around a set of Pinots from The Wine Society. Think I should have been sent the wines in this case offer but there was no Momo and the Kumeu River instead. Anyway…

Kumeu River Village Pinot Noir, 2009, Auckland (£8.95 The Wine Society)
Smells good, with cherry and raspberry to the fore, but spoilt by a smoky, burnt character – barrels? Don’t think it was in the grapes to start with. C+

The Society’s Exhibition Martinborough Pinot Noir, 2009 (Craggy Range) (£12.95 The Wine Society)
Ever so slightly jammy but otherwise this is subtle and supple with a velvety texture, and slightly wild black cherry and forest floor fruit flavours. B+

Martinborough Vineyards Te Tera Pinot Noir 2009, Martinborough (£12.50 The Wine Society)
Smoky bacon oak is the first impression but this gives way to relaxed plummy strawberry and cherry flavours and a touch of feral, truffley allure. S(-)

The Society’s Exhibition Marlborough Pinot Noir, 2009 (Villa Maria) (£12.95 The Wine Society)
Starts off in rather boisterous cola-like fashion but calms down to show more interesting, almost crunchy raspberry and cherry flavours – finishes warm, soft and gentle, but still just to confected for real class. B+

The Crossings Pinot Noir, 2009, Marlborough (£9.75 The Wine Society)
Not the most concentrated wine in this range but it has a lovely mixture of wildness and delicacy, with strawberry notes and some smoky bacon oak that makes it extremely appealing. And some structure too – this was the one I drank most of the evening after the tasting. S-

Wither Hills Pinot Noir, 2008, Marlborough (£10.95 The Wine Society)
Looks good on Day 1, with warm, wild kirsch, coffee & chocolate flavours, but also a touch of VA, and by Day 2 beginning to look a little jaded. B(+)