Wine review: 2012 Mohua Pinot Noir

New Zealand Pinot Noir just keeps getting better and better compared with even a few years ago. This example from the Central Otago estate Mohua is delicate and light on its feet, a bargain at less than $20. Its exuberant berry flavors tempered with herbal notes make for delicious drinking.

It’s a great bottle to have on hand for a dinner invitation or an impromptu supper at home — a couple of lamb chops on the grill, a cheese and spinach pie, vegetable casserole or a rotisserie chicken.

Region: Central Otago, New Zealand

Price: $17 to $19

Style: Elegant

What it goes with: Lamb chops, vegetable casseroles and pies, roast chicken

Where to find it: Boccato’s Groceries in Hermosa Beach, (310) 376-0574, boccatos.com; the Cellar in San Clemente, (949) 492-3663, thecellarsite.com; Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463, https://www.hitimewine.net; Marina Liquor Mart in Marina del Rey, (310) 821-0643; Southern Hemisphere Wine Center in Huntington Beach, (800) 504-9463; and the Wine House in West Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731, https://www.winehouse.com.

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