Posted: April 5, 2017
Moderately developed Alexandra red with good depth of ripe cherry, plum and dried herb flavours, showing some savoury complexity. $36
Comments Off on 8 Ranges Tussock Ridge Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Light ruby, medium-bodied Alexandra red with a slightly earthy bouquet. Satisfying depth of berry and dried herb flavours, with integrated oak (French, 42% new) and a smooth finish. $42
Comments Off on 8 Ranges Barrel Selection Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, full-bodied red from Cromwell, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing good depth. Hints of spices and dried herbs, with moderate complexity. $28 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Wooing Tree Beetle Juice Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Elegant, supple, single-vineyard red, grown at Queensberry, in the Cromwell Basin. Cherry, plum and herb flavours, showing good ripeness, some complexity and gentle tannins. Finely textured wine, verging on four stars. $38 (A)
Comments Off on Two Degrees Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Tightly structured, fairly firm wine with ripe plum/cherry flavours, showing some elegance and savoury, earthy complexity. $27 (A, US)
Comments Off on Toi Toi Clutha Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bargain-priced, attractive Bannockburn red with good depth of plum, spice and dried herb flavours in a floral, easy-drinking style. $22
Comments Off on RD Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This wine divided the panel. One judge praised it as ‘concentrated, complex and refined’; another marked it down as ”green’; another considered it ‘medium weight, savoury, interesting’. $40 (UK)
Comments Off on Kalex Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-coloured, mouthfilling Bannockburn red with fresh, generous cherry and dried herb flavours, good tannin backbone and some savoury complexity. Worth cellaring. $38 (UK)
Comments Off on Ceres Composition Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, attractive, single-vineyard Bannockburn red, deeply coloured and mouthfilling, with ripe cherry, plum and dried herb flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, and good depth and complexity. $39 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Black Quail Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Mouthfilling, savoury, full-flavoured Alexandra red, showing some spicy, nutty complexity, and a firm finish. $30 (US)
Comments Off on Alex Gold Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Estate-grown red from Alexandra. Elegant style, with ripe cherry and gentle spice flavours, showing good varietal character and complexity, and a subtle seasoning of oak (French, 30% new, for 10 months). $36
Comments Off on 8 Ranges Tussock Ridge Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Maturing gracefully, this savoury Alexandra red has very good depth of ripe plum, cherry and spice flavours, a toasty oak influence (French, 42% new), and considerable complexity. Verging on four stars. $42
Comments Off on 8 Ranges Barrel Selection Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bright ruby, youthful red with strong, vibrant cherry/plum flavours, gently seasoned with oak (French, 30% new). Savoury and firm, with good potential. $48 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Wooing Tree Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Drinking well now, this rich, finely balanced red was grown at Wanaka. Mouthfilling and full-coloured, it has cherry, plum, dried herb and spice flavours, well-integrated oak and a floral bouquet. $33 (UK)
Comments Off on Tiki Koro Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deeply coloured, fruit-packed style with strong cherry, plum and herb flavours and a sense of youthful vigour. Rich, with some earthy complexity. Bargain-priced. $25
Comments Off on Thornbury Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Mouthfilling, sweet-fruited and supple red, with ripe cherry and spice flavours, showing a touch of complexity, gentle tannins and excellent harmony. ‘Enticing’, wrote one judge. Fine value. $25
Comments Off on Thornbury Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Estate-grown, Bannockburn red with ripe, sweet fruit flavours, fungal, earthy notes and good complexity. Structured and ageworthy. $26 (A)
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Still youthful, this floral, full-coloured, mouthfilling wine has rich, vibrant plum and spice flavours, with good tannin backbone. Best drinking 2018+. One judge scored it five stars. $50 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Soho McQueen Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Sharply priced, top value red from Immigrant’s Vineyard, at Alexandra. Deep ruby, with generous, youthful berry and dried herb flavours, showing good vigour, and some savoury complexity. $24
Comments Off on Ruru Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Single-vineyard Bendigo red, full-coloured, with mouthfilling body, sweet-fruit flavours, good tannin support and some savoury complexity. ‘Approachable style, with substance’, enthused one judge. $45 (UK)
Comments Off on Folding Hill Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Floral, mouthfilling red, grown in the Cromwell Basin and barrel-aged for 10 months. Plum, spice and dried herb flavours, showing excellent ripeness and depth, and a moderately firm finish. (From Ceres). $28 (UK)
Comments Off on Fifth Bridge Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Certified organic, this is a rich, silky-smooth red with deep plum and spice flavours, an earthy streak and good complexity. Highly approachable; drink now or cellar. $40
Comments Off on Ellero Pisa Terrace Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous, vibrantly fruity red from the estate vineyard at Bannockburn and neighbouring sites. Strong, plummy, spicy flavours, with a hint of licorice and good tannin backbone. Youthful wine; best drinking 2018+. One judge scored it five stars. $30 (A)
Comments Off on Bannockbrae Goldfields Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
From Folding Hill, at Bendigo, this is a generous, smooth red with ripe fruit flavours, silky tannins and finely integrated oak. $32 (UK)
Comments Off on Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deep ruby, vibrantly fruity red with fresh, youthful plum and dried herb flavours, gently seasoned with oak (French, 25% new), and a floral bouquet. $45
Comments Off on Bald Hills Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Savoury and concentrated, with deep ruby colour, strong, ripe red berry, spice and dried herb flavours, integrated oak and finely balanced tannins. Well worth cellaring. (From Hawkesbury Estates). $40 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Akitu A2 Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bright ruby, mouthfilling red with very good depth of plum, berry, spice and herb flavours, ripe, supple tannins and a lingering finish. Delicious in its youth, but also worth cellaring. $28
Comments Off on Akarua Rua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Savoury, full-coloured, ageworthy red, based partly on the district’s oldest vines, planted in 1991. Concentrated, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, oak-derived complexity, and a well-structured finish. ‘Rich, opulent’, enthused one judge. $36 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Estate Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous, deep ruby red with fresh, strong, ripe plum, cherry and spice flavours, showing good complexity. Refined wine, weighty and harmonious, with fine-grained tannins and obvious potential. Enjoyed by all judges. $36 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Nanny Goat Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deep ruby, mouthfilling red with concentrated cherry/plum flavours, seasoned with smoky oak, firm, ripe tannins and excellent aging potential. Full, rich, well-structured style, still very youthful. $45 (A)
Comments Off on Lowburn Ferry Skeleton Creek Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deep ruby, youthful Bannockburn red with strong, ripe plum and spice flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, fine-grained tannins and a floral bouquet. Rich, velvety and lingering. $42
Comments Off on Akarua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Elegant, youthful Bannockburn red, still very fresh and vibrant, with strong plum and spice flavours and fine-grained tannins. Perfumed, complex and rich, with obvious cellaring potential. $49 (A)
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Jackson’s Block Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Silky-textured, this is an elegant, enticingly floral red with concentrated, ripe cherry and red berry flavours, spicy oak and refined tannins. ‘Great wine that needs aging’, enthused one judge. $50 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full, youthful colour, with generous, plummy, spicy, slightly peppery flavours. Medium-bodied, with gentle tannins and an attractively floral bouquet. $36 (A)
Comments Off on Nanny Goat Vineyard Central Otago Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Pale pink Alexandra wine with strawberryish, spicy aromas and flavours, very fresh and lively, a sliver of sweetness, and crisp acidity. Lots of current-drinking charm. $25
Comments Off on 8 Ranges Tussock Ridge Central Otago Pinot Rosé 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Light, gently sweet wine with crisp, lemony, appley flavours, showing very good vibrancy and depth. $39
Comments Off on Rockburn Tiger Moth Central Otago Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Floral, fresh and lively, basically dry style, showing very good sugar/acid balance and depth of citrusy flavours. Maturing gracefully. $35 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Prophet’s Rock Dry Central Otago Riesling 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, light-bodied, distinctly medium style (30 grams/litre residual sugar), with strong lemon/lime flavours and racy acidity, grown at Bannockburn. Pale, vivacious and harmonious. ‘Mosel-like’, enthused one judge. $23 (UK)
Comments Off on Ceres Black Rabbit Central Otago Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Barrel-fermented style, with good depth of ripe, tropical fruit flavours, seasoned with spicy oak, and a crisp, dry finish. $40
Comments Off on Rockburn Central Otago Fume Blanc 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Pale pink wine, made from pinot noir. Delicate strawberry and spice flavours, with a dryish feel and good presence. $25 (A)
Comments Off on Quest Farm Alpino Vin Gris Central Otago 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-bodied, with subtle aromatics, good depth of ripe, citrusy flavours and a dryish, smooth finish. (Fermented and matured for 10 months in neutral oak barrels). $26
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Lola’s Block Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous, smooth Bendigo wine with slightly sweet, peachy, spicy flavours, showing good depth. $32 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Floral, vibrantly fruity Bannockburn wine with good weight and depth of citrusy, peachy flavours and a slightly sweet, creamy-textured finish. $28 (UK)
Comments Off on Ceres Swansong Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-bodied style from Cromwell Basin vineyards, with attractive stonefruit, pear and spice flavours and an off-dry, slightly oily finish. $28 (UK)
Comments Off on Ceres Composition Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Easy-drinking, medium-bodied style with fresh, citrusy, slightly peachy flavours and an off-dry finish. $23
Comments Off on Akarua Rua Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Floral, medium-bodied Alexandra wine, citrusy and slightly sweet, with fresh acidity and good harmony. $25
Comments Off on 8 Ranges Tussock Ridge Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with good depth of stonefruit and pear flavours and a dryish finish. (Field blend with 3% gewurztraminer and 1% viognier). $25 (A)
Comments Off on Quest Farm Silver Lining Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fleshy, full-bodied Gibbston wine with citrus fruit and pear flavours and a slightly spicy, floral bouquet. Attractive, dryish style. $26 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Pale, mouthfilling wine, floral and fresh, with pure pear and spice flavours, showing good varietal definition, and an off-dry (7 grams/litre residual sugar) finish. Worth cellaring. $28
Comments Off on Bald Hills Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Pale, light and vivacious, with a yeasty bouquet and crisp, racy palate, showing considerable complexity. $45
Comments Off on Akarua Vintage Brut Central Otago 2011 / 0 View / April 5, 2017