Schist Happens…
This first weekend in May means two things. 1. For the next three months it’ll suck to be a duck, and 2. It’ll be a non-stop Central Otago pinot noir party…
Akarua RUA Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $25
Hugely spicy on the nose and palate, this shiny new southern star is heaving with hedgerow fruits, ripe cherry and berry notes, layers of leaf litter and sweet, succulent raspberry tea flavours. Soft, sandy tannins add extra complexity.
Sip with: Shredded Duck Burgers
Mud House Single Vineyard Claim 431 Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $32.99
The vines at the Claim 431 site thrive in the dry, desert-scape of schist soils of the Bendigo sub-region and produce a gorgeous wine that smells like Cherry Ripe bars, black tea and smoked meats. Ultra-fruity and edged with truffle and cocoa, it’s delish.
Sip with: Duck au Vin.
Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $99
This is the first vintage where the winemaking team at Cloudy Bay could merge the best fruit from their organically-farmed Calvert Vineyard on Felton Road with their new, Northburn Station site. Deeply saturated with black guava, wild cherry and raspberry flavours and fleshed out with forest floor, freshly turned earth and masses of spice. Beautiful balance poise and purity.
Sip with: Duck ragout with pappardelle
