Chard Farm Viper Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 $79 From a tricky, back-to-front harvest season, the pinot noir from Chard Farm set solid form. Sourced from their Viper vineyard located in the Parkburn area on the western side of Lake Dunstan. The site takes its name from the wildflower ”Vipers Bugloss” that carpets the … Read More
Central Otago
Chard Farm The Tiger Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
Chard Farm The Tiger Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 $79 Wine match for Annabel Langbein’s Prosciutto & Bocconcini Pizza (Canvas NZHerald sat 14 2019) Prosciutto is my drug of choice. I can’t help myself when it’s around. If I see it on a platter I snaffle it, on hors d’oeuvres, get in my belly, and … Read More
Ellero Pisa Terrace Central Otago Riesling 2015
Ellero Pisa Terrace Central Otago Riesling 2015 $25 Gleaned from the last letters of Californian’s-cum-Central Otagians, Roberta Manell Montero and John Montero, Ellero is a 16ha operation in the Pisa Terrace sub-region, an area famed for injecting intense minerality and character into every grape grown there. This riesling has soaked up all that and more. … Read More
Mishas Vineyard Dress Circle Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017
Mishas Vineyard Dress Circle Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $28 This is one of my favourite New Zealand pinot gris styles because it hits that perfect balance between the deliciously dry and mouthfillingly rich. Think a tweak of yuzu, nestled amongst nashi and soft lemony notes on the nose and palate, this Central Otago stunner … Read More
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45 Dr Stephanie Lambert has a fearsome reputation as a winemaker and yet the big up’s, the accolades, the critic prop’s per se, are overwhelmingly in favour of her pinot noir. Indeed she does make damn fine, world-class pinot noir at every price point, yet I’m here to say that … Read More
Mt Rosa Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Mt Rosa Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $75 This is a sexy melange of wild cherry, rhubarb, rosehip tea and allspice. Soft, sultry and ever-so-smoky, it’s a style that’s deeply concentrated, gamy and incredibly succulent. Mouthwatering even. It’s a delicious style that has incredible length of flavour and an elegant presence. Love it! Pricey, … Read More
Mt Rosa Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Mt Rosa Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $35 Incredibly aromatic, this Gibbston-grown pinot erupts with dusty cherry and berry and cocoa characters, plus theres a whiff of rosehip tea and sackloads of spice. Mouthfeel-wise, where do I start? Red fruits, currant and cranberry with hints of strawberry and rhubarb and a hint of black tea … Read More
Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $50 Stuffed with cranberry, redcurrant, rosehip tea, succulent acidity, slippery lithe mouthfeel, warming, luscious, lovely and spicy and velvety. It’s a classic, old vines, Central Otago style that works beautifully with roast beetroot soup and anything game-related. It’s a juicy, spice-centric style that’s created from fruit grown by … Read More
The Writer’s Block Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018
The Writer’s Block Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 $29 (4stars) Crafted by Urbn Vino’s Brendan Seal, this gris has a full and frisky fragrance of baked apple, poached quince and hints of honeysuckle and stonefruit – all characters that wash across the palate, leaving an impression of richness on the finish (which also happens … Read More
Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018
Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 $26 Produced by Graeme and Gillian Crosbie from fruit sourced from their Defiance and Domain Road vineyards, this gorgeous thing is scented with creaming soda, raspberry, sweet cherry and watermelonny wonder. It’s a more substantial rose than most, super-concentrated yet taut, robust and spicy, with waves of … Read More