Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir 2024 from Marlborough is a vibrant, modern Kiwi Pinot that hits that sweet spot between plush fruit and savoury detail, with the structure to age but plenty of charm right now. It is a seriously good value alternative to more famous Central Otago names.

In the glass, Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir 2024 shows great colour and concentration, opening with dark cherry, plum and raspberry wrapped in dried herbs, clove, vanilla and a lick of woodsmoke and earthy, stony complexity. The palate is fleshy and fruity yet nicely salivating and dry, with dark plum and raspberry at the core, firm polished tannins and a strong acid line carrying real length and freshness. Best from 2026, it will comfortably run for most of the decade.

This Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir is built for food – think duck breast, lamb rump, mushroom risotto, venison sausages or game birds where its spice, fruit and earthy notes really shine. It is equally at home with richer salmon, beetroot dishes and hard cheeses, making it a versatile bottle for everything from mid‑week roasts to smart dinner parties.