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2000 JILL'S VINEYARD PINOT NOIR HOUSTON CHRONICLE JANUARY 23rd, 2002 WE RECOMMEND ROWLAND CELLARS If Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand on the world's white wine map, then Pinot noir will put it on the world's red-wine map. Pinot has potential in the Antipodes. Pinot seems to thrive in two New Zealand areas: in Martinborough, just a little northeast from Wellington at the southern end of the North Island, and in the Otago region of the southeastern-central part of the South Island. This is in the area of the Southern Alps, and it can get pretty cold there. Gerry Rowland's a busy guy. Born in Australia, he lives in California's Napa Valley, where he makes wine under several labels. And he also makes a wine from Central Otago. Naturally, it's a pinot noir. "The challenge in Central Otago," Rowland said, "is the frost protection. We don't get the moisture or cloud problems like Burgundy, but weather is the big factor." The 2000 Rowland "Jill's Vineyard" Pinot Noir --* * * * 1/2 --(at $26.99) seemed a little riper and had more cranberry, plum and strawberry juiciness. Jerry Mead's - International Wine Competition BRONZE MEDAL Rowland, 2000 Jill's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Central Otago - NZ Harvey Steiman's HOT Wines Archive Hot Wines for the week of 11/16/2001 90 Points - NEW ZEALAND, Rowland Pinot Noir Central Otago Jill's Vineyard 2000 $26, 224 cases made; entire production imported into the U.S. Central Otago, the southernmost and therefore coolest region in New Zealand, has some Pinot Noir lovers licking their chops over the possibilities. The wines have been uneven so far, but this one offers a glimpse of the region's delicious potential. It was made by Australian-born Gerald Rowland, who came to California in 1987 and worked as an assistant winemaker at Chappellet and other wineries before setting up his eponymous winery in Yountville in 1997. Rowland consults for the owners of Jill's, a 25-year-old Central Otago vineyard -- California and New Zealand's seasons are six months apart, so it's doable -- and he brings in the wine for his own label. The 2000 is quite a wine, supple, almost plush in texture, generous with its ripe blackberry, cherry and smoky-peppery notes that mingle with the fruit on the round finish. It has zingy acidity to support it all, but that never gets in the way. Tannins are smooth, too, making for a wine that's drinkable now but should drink well through 2006.   Be sure to learn about...