Posted: September 4, 2019
Estate-grown in The Canyon Vineyard at Bendigo, this is an attractively scented, ageworthy red. Full, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, finely balanced tannins and impressive complexity. Best drinking 2021+. $40
Comments Off on Tarras Vineyards Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Drinking well now, this is a blend of Bendigo and Alexandra grapes, French oak-matured for nine months. Ruby hued, with a hint of development, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with generous, spicy, nutty flavours, balanced tannins and very good complexity….
Comments Off on Kuru Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This enticingly fragrant, full-bodied red was estate-grown at Bendigo and matured for nine months in French oak casks (32% new). Full, bright ruby, it is vibrant, concentrated and savoury, with fresh, rich cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent complexity,…
Comments Off on Tarras Vineyards The Canyon Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Already drinking well, this impressive red is New Zealand’s southernmost tempranillo. Deeply coloured, with a fragrant bouquet, it is mouthfilling, sweet-fruited, savoury and supple, with generous, plummy, berryish flavours, a hint of herbs, and excellent depth, complexity and harmony. $45
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Tempranillo 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This drink-young charmer is ruby hued, fresh and very harmonious, with ripe, moderately concentrated flavours, showing some savoury complexity, and a smooth finish. $28
Comments Off on Pick & Shovel Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This skilfully crafted, drink-young charmer was matured in tanks, without oak, “to retain bright fruit”. Deep ruby, with a fresh, fragrant bouquet, it is full-bodied, with ripe plum and spice flavours, gentle tannins, and very good depth. It’s already enjoyable….
Comments Off on Devil’s Staircase Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still unfolding, this fresh, vibrant, supple red was French oak-aged for a year. Deep ruby, it has very good vigour and concentration, with cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, savoury notes adding complexity and a finely balanced…
Comments Off on Volcanic Hills Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Showing good potential, this single-vineyard red was grown at Earnscleugh, near Alexandra, and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (30% new). Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling and fruit-packed, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity…
Comments Off on Three Miners Warden’s Court Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Enjoyable young but worth cellaring, this is a single-vineyard Alexandra red. Deeply coloured, with fresh cherry, plum and herb aromas and flavours, gently seasoned with French oak, it is a lively wine, generous and supple. $32
Comments Off on Rock N Pillar Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Drinking well now, this fragrant, generous red was hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts, matured for a year in French oak barrels (20% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with strong, vibrant, plummy, spicy…
Comments Off on Gold Digger Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This organically certified red doesn’t claim Bannockburn origin on its labels, but is “essentially a declassification of wine from the Carrick vineyards.” Full, bright ruby, it has very good depth of vibrant, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity,…
Comments Off on Carrick Unravelled Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This deeply coloured, single-vineyard red was estate-grown at Cromwell and French oak-aged for 11 months. Full-bodied, it is youthful, with concentrated, vibrant, plummy, spicy, slightly nutty flavours, showing very good complexity, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Well worth cellaring, it…
Comments Off on Wooing Tree Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still very youthful, this ruby-hued red was hand-harvested, matured for 11 months in French oak casks (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Elegant and supple, it has vibrant cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, fresh acidity, savoury notes adding…
Comments Off on Valli Waitaki Vineyard North Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful, very savoury, firmly structured red was hand-harvested, matured for 11 months in French oak casks (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, it is full-bodied, with strong, well-ripened cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, fresh acidity…
Comments Off on Valli Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Delicious now, this rare, estate-grown red was matured for two years in four French oak barrels (half new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Ruby hued, it is an elegant, savoury, supple wine, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty…
Comments Off on Maori Point Grand Reserve Professors’ Block Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Offering good value, this Alexandra red is deeply coloured, with a fresh, fragrant bouquet. Full-bodied and fruit-packed, it has generous, vibrant, plummy, spicy flavours, nutty, savoury notes adding complexity, and good tannin support. Best drinking mid-2020+. $32
Comments Off on Dry Gully Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful young red was estate-grown, hand-harvested and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (26% new). Deeply coloured, it is vibrantly fruity, with concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, good tannin support, and obvious cellaring potential; open 2021+….
Comments Off on Domain Road Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Drinking well early, this estate-grown, Gibbston red was hand-harvested and matured for a year in French oak casks (40% new). Bright ruby, it is an elegant, supple wine, full-bodied, with ripe, sweet-fruit flavours, gentle acidity, good complexity and a well-rounded…
Comments Off on Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Ruby hued, with a hint of development, this is a ‘serious’ style, still unfolding. Savoury, with cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, oak complexity and a fairly firm finish, it should be at its best 2021+. $79
Comments Off on Ceres The Artists Collection Black Rabbit Vineyard Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Weighty and supple, this ruby-hued, fruit-packed red is mouthfilling and youthful. Fresh and sweet-fruited, it has vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, good tannin support, and obvious potential; best drinking 2021+. $40 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Ceres Composition Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Probably at or near its peak, this fragrant, full-coloured red is mouthfilling, supple and savoury, with strong, plummy, spicy, nutty, slightly herbal flavours, showing excellent complexity, and a well-rounded finish. $70
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Estate-grown at Gibbston, this savoury, finely poised red is drinking well now. Full-coloured, with a hint of development, it is fragrant and vibrantly fruity, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, good tannin backbone and excellent…
Comments Off on Brennan B2 Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Delicious now, but also ageworthy, this is a single-vineyard, Bannockburn red, hand-picked and matured for a year in French oak (27% new). Full, bright ruby, it is a powerful, young, sweet-fruited and savoury, with a fragrant, slightly earthy bouquet and…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This refined, graceful, very youthful red was hand-harvested, matured for 11 months in French oak casks (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Ruby hued, it is floral, savoury and supple, with vibrant, berryish, spicy, nutty, slightly herbal flavours, woven…
Comments Off on Valli Gibbston Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful, sweet-fruited red was hand-picked, matured for nearly a year in French oak casks (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep, bright ruby, it is sturdy and concentrated, with strong, ripe plum, cherry and nut flavours, well-structured, youthful…
Comments Off on Valli Bendigo Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“Crafted for immediate enjoyment”, this graceful Gibbston red is from a notably early-ripening season. Bright ruby, it is fragrant and softly mouthfilling, with deep, very ripe plum, spice and herb flavours, savoury, nutty notes adding complexity, gentle acidity and a…
Comments Off on Rockburn The Chosen Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still very youthful, this deeply coloured, single-vineyard red was grown at Gibbston and barrel-aged in French oak (30% new). Lush and silky-textured, it has a fresh, fragrant bouquet of spices and herbs. Mouthfilling, with concentrated plum, herb and spice flavours,…
Comments Off on Rockburn Six Barrels Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Instantly attractive, this fragrant, full-bodied regional blend was grown principally at Parkburn, in the Cromwell Basin, with a small component (12%) from Gibbston. Already delicious, it is sweet-fruited, with deep, vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with French oak…
Comments Off on Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This floral, very graceful red was estate-grown at Bendigo and matured for a year in French oak hogsheads (33% new). Deep ruby, it is sweet-fruited, savoury and supple, with vibrant plum, spice and nut flavours, silky-textured and lingering. Still youthful,…
Comments Off on Misha’s Vineyard The High Note Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful, single-vineyard Bannockburn red was hand-picked and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (29 per cent new). Deep and youthful in colour, it is highly fragrant, with dense, youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent vigour,…
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Defiance Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This highly ageworthy red was estate-grown at Bannockburn, hand-picked, matured for a year in French oak barrels (25% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours…
Comments Off on Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Delicious now, this ruby hued red is fragrant and sweet-fruited, in a slightly softer style than its Black Rabbit Vineyard stablemate (below). Savoury, nutty and complex, it has generous cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, that build well to a…
Comments Off on Ceres The Artists Collection Inlet Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This ageworthy, organically certified red was estate-grown and matured in French oak barriques. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, concentrated, savoury and structured, with ripe cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, slightly earthy notes adding complexity, real depth through the palate and…
Comments Off on Carrick Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still moderately youthful, this is an impressively fragrant, rich and complex red. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum, herb and spice flavours, savoury, nutty notes, and a long, harmonious finish. $65
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This vivacious, single-vineyard rosé was hand-picked near Alexandra. Bright, pale pink, it is freshly scented, with strawberryish, slightly peachy and spicy flavours and a finely balanced, fully dry finish. $26
Comments Off on Three Miners Rocker Box Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Offering easy drinking, this is a fresh and lively blend of tempranillo (70%) and zinfandel (30%). Light pink/orange, it is medium-bodied, with a sliver of sweetness, a touch of tannin, and strong, peachy, slightly spicy flavours. $40
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Rosé 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Certified organic, this wine was hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in tanks and barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it is crisp and nettley, in a medium-bodied, slightly austere style with good intensity of herbaceous flavours, a touch of complexity, firm…
Comments Off on Carrick Wild Ferment Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This vibrantly fruity wine was hand-harvested in the Cromwell Basin, barrel-fermented and lees-aged in old oak. Medium-bodied, it is very fresh and youthful, with citrusy, peachy, slightly appley flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a dryish, lengthy finish….
Comments Off on Queensberry Gardens Reserve Central Otago Chenin Blanc 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This lively, full-flavoured wine was hand-harvested and partly (42%) French oak-fermented. It has good intensity of citrusy, herbaceous flavours, with a subtle seasoning of oak adding complexity, and a slightly nettley bouquet. $23 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This “playful”, clearly varietal wine is mouthfilling and perfumed, with strong, vibrant, peachy, appley flavours, a splash of sweetness and lively acidity. Finely balanced, vigorous and youthful, it should be at its best 2020+. $50
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Muscat Central Otago 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Already enjoyable, this is a skilfully balanced blend of three aromatic varieties – gewürztraminer (45%), riesling (45%), and muscat (10%). Bright, light lemon/green, with a perfumed, gently spicy bouquet, it is full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with a splash of sweetness…
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Trio Central Otago 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Finely poised and youthful, this estate-grown wine has an invitingly perfumed, floral, spicy bouquet. Mouthfilling and fresh, it is strongly varietal, with rich, yet delicate, peachy, spicy flavours, a slightly oily texture, and obvious potential. Best drinking 2021+. $40
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Gewurztraminer 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A memorable mouthful, this blend of pinot gris (73%), muscat (15%) and riesling (12%) was made “following ancient winemaking traditions”, including fermentation on skins for two months in old French oak barriques. Probably at its peak now, it is highly…
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Orange Central Otago 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Invitingly scented, this lively, light-bodied, estate-grown wine was hand-picked at Earnscleugh, near Alexandra. Pale lemon/green, it has citrusy, slightly appley flavours, showing excellent delicacy and depth, and a slightly sweet, finely balanced finish. Drink now or cellar. $23
Comments Off on Three Miners Central Otago Riesling 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Bright, light lemon/green, this single-vineyard wine was hand-picked at Bendigo. Fragrant, it is medium-bodied, with strong, vibrant, grapefruit and lime flavours, a hint of spice, and a finely balanced, off-dry, lingering finish. Best drinking 2021+. $27 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Riesling 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Fragrant, fresh and punchy, this medium-dry wine was hand-picked in the Mondillo vineyard, at Bendigo. Attractively scented, it has good vigour and intensity of citrusy, slightly appley and peachy flavours, threaded with lively acidity, and a persistent, very harmonious finish….
Comments Off on Maori Point Single Vineyard Central Otago Riesling 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This attractively scented Bannockburn wine has a Mosel-like balance and lightness. Bright, light lemon/green, it is vivacious, with strong lemon/lime flavours, gentle sweetness and fresh acidity. Already delicious, it’s ageworthy too. $28 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Ceres Black Rabbit Vineyard Central Otago Riesling 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful young wine is full-bodied, with fresh grapefruit and peach flavours, showing good ripeness and richness. Bright, light lemon/green, with gentle sweetness and lively acidity, it’s a generous, finely balanced wine, well worth cellaring. $33
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Riesling 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Drinking beautifully now, this Bendigo wine was partly (22%) fermented with indigenous yeasts in old French oak barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it is a finely scented, medium-bodied wine with rich, vibrant, citrusy, peachy, appley flavours, toasty, bottle-aged notes adding complexity,…
Comments Off on Misha’s Vineyard Limelight Riesling 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Drinking well in its youth, this is a full-bodied, fleshy wine with ripe, peachy, slightly spicy and gingery flavours, fresh and generous, and an off-dry, well-rounded finish. (From Rockburn). $26 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Devil’s Staircase Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019