Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2024

This is Ben Tombs first vintage as chief winemaker, as he follows in the well trodden path of those before him, it’s clear he was paying attention. The 2024 is crimson with dark Christmas cherries, dusty plum skin and sapote pudding. A thrill of olive flecks, granitic soils and winter pine leaves. The wine pulls deeply with fine tannins and cherry pit and cassis. Some very delicate oak tones of cedar and clove, finishing with a hint of black pepper and tree bark. A wine that could handle black pudding or garlic seafood but allow for medium rare game meats too. Points: 94/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 25th Dec 2025

This is Ben Tombs first vintage as chief winemaker, as he follows in the well trodden path of those before him, it’s clear he was paying attention. The 2024 is crimson with dark Christmas cherries, dusty plum skin and sapote pudding. A thrill of olive flecks, granitic soils and winter pine leaves. The wine pulls deeply with fine tannins and cherry pit and cassis. Some very delicate oak tones of cedar and clove, finishing with a hint of black pepper and tree bark. A wine that could handle black pudding or garlic seafood but allow for medium rare game meats too. Points: 94/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 25th Dec 2025

The Craggy Range star just doesn’t dim, hey. The (once super controversial) Te Muna Terrace vineyards are now more than twenty-five years old too, and here delivering a plush and powerful expression of Martinborough Pinot. Wonderful plush ripe plum fruit – it’s almost like a Blaufrankisch/Pinot/Shiraz hybrid, with plum and blackberry fruit in a silky and mouthfilling way. Arguably, it’s a bit too ripe to be classic, but the texture is lovely and the palate very welcoming. Good one. Points: 93/100

ozwinereview.com ∙ 4th Nov 2025

The Craggy Range star just doesn’t dim, hey. The (once super controversial) Te Muna Terrace vineyards are now more than twenty-five years old too, and here delivering a plush and powerful expression of Martinborough Pinot. Wonderful plush ripe plum fruit – it’s almost like a Blaufrankisch/Pinot/Shiraz hybrid, with plum and blackberry fruit in a silky and mouthfilling way. Arguably, it’s a bit too ripe to be classic, but the texture is lovely and the palate very welcoming. Good one. Points: 93/100

ozwinereview.com ∙ 4th Nov 2025

From the Te Muna Road vineyard in Martinborough, for me, this is one of the very best Pinots we have seen from this legendary winery. Love it. 15% whole bunches are incorporated, with wild yeasts used, and maturation in French oak barriques, 24% new. The colour is a vibrant dark cherry/purple. The nose reveals notes of truffles, cassis, bay leaves, spices, a hint of milk chocolate and leaf litter. A silky texture, there is superb balance here, fine acidity, satiny tannins and excellent length, with the intensity maintained for the full journey. A wonderful Pinot for enjoying over the next decade. Points: 96/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 11th Oct 2025

Dark cherry conserve and hazelnut lead, a swirl unlocking cassia and nutmeg. Forest notes follow – pine mushroom, forest floor, twiggy spice. Aromas have a velveteen feel, carried onto the palate with dark cherry, forest floor, mushroom, brown spice, and twigginess gliding in satin texture. Fine-but-firm chalky tannins bring a bitter mocha edge, while earthy acidity drives a long finish. A classy Pinot Noir with lovely earthy, savoury complexity. Points: 94/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 11th Oct 2025

It’s nice and neat, polished and shiny. An effortless drink with good concentration of flavour, a sheen of woody spices, mahogany, clove, cedar, a lick of graphite through the finish. It’s distinguished pinot of a primped and preened nature. No x-factor, but like Lexus, it does luxury while dialling up something for everyone. In that, charm, a good glass packed with flavour, reserved and finessed. Nice. Points: 92/100

The Wine Front ∙ 12th Jul 2025