WINE > Corofin, Pinot Noir, Marlborough (17/20)

Marlborough is a region much better known for Sauvignon Blanc than for Pinot Noir but Corofin make a wine in Marlborough that surprises as it rises above the quaffable and into the respected tiers of premium wines; competing with wines with great accolades from Central Otago in New Zealand’s South Island.

APPEARANCE >

Corofin’s 2023 Pinot Noir is a quietly confident expression of Marlborough’s cooler sites, where Mike and Anna Paterson coax site‑specific finesse rather than generic “fruit‑bomb” Pinot from the region’s best small blocks. This vintage leans into purity and line rather than weight.

APPEARANCE >

The 2023 Corofin Pinot Noir pours a pale to mid‑ruby, with a faint translucent rim that hints at its cool‑site origins and restrained winemaking. There’s no excessive hue or saturation; instead, the wine looks bright and juicy, almost camphor‑like at the edge, promising aromatic lift rather than sheer extract.

NOSE >

On the nose it reads bright and sappy, with a tight core of red cherry and raspberry that quickly opens into sweet berry, violet, and a subtle whiff of sour cherry. Under the top‑layer fruit sit dried herbs, faint leaf‑like greenness, and a cool‑stony/mineral thread that plugs it directly into Marlborough’s layered soils rather than varietal caricature. A whisper of spice and faint earthy lift adds serious Pinot‑Noir‑ness without ever feeling forced.

LENGTH >

The palate is medium‑bodied and quietly energetic, with fine‑grained tannins that are present but not intrusive, and acidity that carries the wine through without screeching. The finish is long for its style: wild strawberry, cranberry, and a crystalline mineral note persist, with a gentle peppery and savoury shake‑through that keeps the glass interesting between sips. It’s a wine that feels more complex the more it opens up, not one that burns out on impact.

PAIRING >

This Corofin 2023 Pinot suits lighter, aromatic dishes where the wine can hold its own rather than get shouted down. Roast duck, seared duck breast with a plum or cherry‑based sauce, or slow‑roasted lamb with herbs and garlic will echo its red‑fruit and savoury edges. Mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, or a simple wild‑mushroom and smoked‑cheese tart also work well, letting the wine’s subtle earthiness and fine structure come forward without tipping into heaviness.

VINTAGE >

The 2023 vintage in Marlborough was comparatively cool and even, which Corofin has used to its advantage: the Pinot avoids over‑ripeness and instead leans into freshness, sappy acidity, and fine‑boned structure. The growing season allowed for gradual flavour development while retaining natural acidity, so the wine feels more “classic” and European‑influenced than the overtly ripe, opulent styles sometimes associated with the region. Across Corofin’s small‑batch Pinots, 2023 reads as a vintage where site and vineyard character shine more than winemaking bravado.

SCORE >

Out of 20, the Corofin 2023 Pinot Noir scores 17/20 – 5/5 for appearance, 4/5 for nose, 4/5 for length, and 4/5 for palate, reflecting its balance, finesse, and food‑friendliness. It’s not a show‑stopper built on sheer power, but on subtlety and transparency, which rewards attentive drinkers who value nuance over noise.

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