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
Central Otago
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
Judge Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018
Judge Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 $25 Back in 1998 Paul Jacobson was an engineer and his wife Angela managed multiple local kindergartens, plus they were raising three young, Central Otago sons and life was hectic. So that’s why they also become grape growers and winemakers – clearly suckers for punishment! Today their … Read More
Pick & Shovel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018
Pick & Shovel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 $19.99 Created by the good folk at Dry Gully Vineyard in the summer heat-trap of Alexandra, this pinot gris will appeal to anyone walking on the dry side of the street. Sure you have hints of the usual suspects of pear and quince, yet there’s also a … Read More
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Rosé 2018
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Rosé 2018 $22.95 Crafted from 100% pinot noir, this snappy little rosé resembles the styles of Southern France, skating down the dry and spicy-fresh side of the fence and leaving a comet tail of soft melon, cranberry and pink peppercorn characters on the palate. Clean, crunchy and built for serving super-chilled … Read More
Providore Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
Providore Central Otago Pinot noir 2017 $39 Winemaker Pete Bartle upsticked from his native Hawke’s Bay in 2001 for the bright lights of Central Otago and it’s been veni, vidi, vici for him ever since. Now one of the region’s most highly awarded winemakers, Pete’s decided that since he’s earned access to some of the … Read More
Lamont Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Lamont Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 Bendigo is the warmest of all Central Otago’s sub-regions and that results in pinot noir absolutely erupting with ripe berry, cherry and tamarillo-tastic tension in the mouth. It also captures that moody, mysterious sous bois characteristic of truffle, forest floor and tea leaf tannins. So incredibly vibrant, it … Read More
Lamont Central Otago Chardonnay 2017
Lamont Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $32 Winemaker Craig Gasson sourced superlatively good fruit from Sue and Andrew Penniket’s organic and dry-farmed Minaret Peaks vineyard down in Wanaka for this new release chardonnay. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in a concrete egg fermenter, it erupts with sweet cashew, stonefruit and citrus on the nose and … Read More
Archangel Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
Archangel Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $37 This Pete Bartle-crafted number is definitely on the tamarillo and tea side and a lipsmacking line of spice and a fresh, frisky acidity. Owned by the Zurakowski family, Archangel’s vineyard is located in the tiny sub-region of Queensberry (a 15-minute drive south of Wanaka), and it’s fast becoming … Read More
Peregrine Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Peregrine Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $27 Brand new from the quite frankly, unfairly talented team at Peregrine, comes this elegantly structured yet rock solid sauvignon blanc that’s stacked with citrus, capsicum, fennel and white pepper on the nose. Prepare your palate for passionfruit, lemon and lime leaf notes. and a super-fresh and frisky finish. Great … Read More