Medium ruby-colored, the 2008 Pinot Noir offers pretty red cherry, red currant, lavender and underbrush notes. Medium-bodied and still very taut, it is delicately styled with silt-like tannins, refreshing acid and a very long finish. Drink it now to 2017+. First planted in 1997, as the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines continue to mature on this incredibly placed remote vineyard and winery positioned on an old limestone quarry, Bell Hill just gets more and more exciting. Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen have raised the bar high here, not just for New Zealand but for the world. Production is tiny and sadly even tinier in 2010 due to poor flowering. Only 1.5 barrels of the Chardonnay and 4 barrels of the Pinot Noir were produced in 2010 but the wines, in a word, rock. Anyone who truly wants to understand the potential of New Zealand’s greatest terroirs must find a bottle of Bell Hill. Importer: Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (215) 533 9464; Terrell Wines, www.terrellwines.com

Medium-deep ruby-purple colored, the 2008 Pinot Noir displays notes of game and mocha over warm black cherries, raspberries and mulberries with just a hint of allspice. The palate is led by structure with medium-firm grainy tannins and crisp acidity supporting just enough taut berry and spice flavors, finishing long. It’s drinking well now and should continue to cellar to 2016. Importer: Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (215) 533 9464