Fans of discovering all that’s new and groovy in the local wine scene will want to fill their boots with the newest little hero in the Wairarapa, Lime Hill. It’s a small but perfectly formed joint wine venture of Karl Johner of Johner Estate in Gladstone with his winemaker Raphael Burki. Located on a hillside east of Masterton, the vineyard is planted in mainly Mendoza-clone chardonnay and five different clones of pinot noir – so it’s a little bit of Burgundy in our back yard.
Lime Hill Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018 $49
More savoury on the nose than walking into Pedro’s House of Lamb (BEST lamb in all of Christchurch) and spicier than a fruitcake factory, this pinot noir has a personality all of its own. Showing cherry, creamed rhubarb, and a lick of pepper all rolled up in gamey, smoky notes. Smooth, woolly, fabulously feral and has a herbal-edged finish.
