The Better Half Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023

The Better Half is the personal project of Marlborough winemaker George Elworthy, best known for his long-standing work alongside his wife, Jules Taylor. After years helping build the success of Jules Taylor Wines, Elworthy stepped out with a label of his own—playfully named in reference to their partnership. Despite the light-hearted branding, there’s serious pedigree here, with experience spanning top Marlborough estates and international vintages, all feeding into a confident, regionally expressive style.

The wines are sourced from select vineyard sites across Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere Valleys, bringing together the region’s hallmark brightness and aromatic lift with a slightly more relaxed, drink-now approach. Winemaking leans towards minimal intervention, preserving purity of fruit and freshness, and the range is designed to capture the easy charm of Marlborough—vibrant, clean, and immediately enjoyable without sacrificing detail or regional character.

This lives up to the ethos brimming with wild strawberry and crushed black raspberry fruit lightyly dusted with a sweet/savoury spice combo. Its puer and clean. Super zippy on the palate but has all that energy backed up with lovely, sweet fruit. It feels super lively and completely more-ish in its delivery. A cracking little Marlborough wine.