Kono Pinot Noir 2022 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Kono Pinot Noir from South Island, New Zealand is a dry, medium-bodied cool-climate red that opens with a delicate and fragrant nose of ripe red cherry, fresh strawberry, dried rose petal, wild thyme, and a thread of earthy forest floor. On the palate it is elegant and finely structured, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a persistent, beautifully balanced finish that carries layers of red berry, warm spice, and a gentle whisper of toasted French oak. Lightly chilled, it drinks beautifully from 2026 and will continue to develop through 2034. The Kono winemaking team crafts this Pinot Noir from sustainably grown South Island grapes, maturing the wine in French oak to build complexity while preserving the freshness and finesse that define the region's cool-climate character. Kono is a proudly Maori-owned business, collectively held by approximately 250 families descended from the traditional landowners of the Te Tauihu region of Nelson, and the name itself comes from the Maori tradition of presenting a kono, a woven flax basket of food, to welcome guests - an expression of hospitality that speaks to the spirit of every bottle. Pair it with grilled lamb chops rubbed with rosemary and sea salt, where the wine's earthy red fruit and wild herb notes are a natural companion, or try it with a golden herb-roasted chicken, letting the wine's silky fruit and gentle oak warmth weave through every savoury bite.

Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled lamb chops, veal Milanese, grilled chicken, turkey.

Luscious Lamb Wine

This Kono Pinot Noir 2022 was reviewed on April 11, 2026 by Natalie MacLean

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.

Recipes for Kono Pinot Noir 2022

• Autumn Pear And Pumpkin Bisque
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• Basic Basil Pesto
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