Paddy Borthwick Paper Road Pinot Noir 2023 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Paddy Borthwick Paper Road Pinot Noir from Wairarapa, North Island is a dry, medium-bodied cool-climate red with a sweetly perfumed and inviting nose of dark cherry, ripe plum, fresh raspberry, dried rose petal, warm clove, and a thread of toasted cedar from its time in French oak. On the palate it is juicy and harmonious, with supple, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity, and a lingering, spice-touched finish that carries wild herb complexity and a whisper of dark chocolate. Lightly chilled, it drinks beautifully from 2026 through 2028. Winemaker Briony Carnachan and vigneron Paddy Borthwick craft this Pinot Noir from multiple Pinot clones grown on ancient stony alluvial soils bordering the Ruamahunga River in Gladstone, using natural yeasts and minimal intervention to let the single-vineyard character speak clearly. The wine's name comes from a charming piece of local history: original survey documents show a road that was planned to run straight through the estate vineyard, but was never actually built, and those "paper roads" that exist only on old maps now give this label its evocative name. The Borthwick family's connection to land and fine food runs five generations deep, stretching back to Paddy's great-great grandfather Sir Thomas Borthwick, a Victorian-era pioneer of the English meat trade. Pair it with a slow-simmered lamb ragu over fresh pasta, where the wine's dark cherry and herb notes will weave beautifully into the richness of the sauce, or pour it alongside a margherita pizza with fresh basil, letting the wine's bright acidity and earthy spice complement the simplicity and warmth of the dish.

Pinot Noir food pairings: Lamb ragu, turkey, margherita pizza.

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This Paddy Borthwick Paper Road Pinot Noir 2023 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 Paddy Borthwick Paper Road Pinot Noir 2023

• Autumn Pear And Pumpkin Bisque
• Avocado and Papaya Salad
• Balsamic Grilled Radicchio with Shaved Pecorino
• Basic Basil Pesto
• Chef Cosmo’s Zucchini and Red Onion Frittata alla Pisa
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