Observer critic Tim Atkin MW notes: "New Zealand's Pinot Noirs are as good as anyone's outside Burgundy". These days they can also be pricey but with Split Rock you can enjoy elegant, cool climate Pinot Noir at an affordable price. It's from an estate founded in the 1970s by Hermann Seifried, and today run by son Chris and daughter Heidi. Heidi is a dentist by day, so Chris is chief in the cellar and the main talent behind this silky, medium bodied red. Named after a nearby landmark, Split Apple Rock in the Abel Tasman National Park, the wine has ripe berry, plum and chocolate character with a smooth, supple, understated brilliance. This isn't a weighty red, it's delicate and subtle. Serve in large bowled glasses with duck or lamb chops.