Dame Diesel Central Otago Rosé 2021 $25 Crafted from 100% pinot noir from a single vineyard on the slopes of Bannockburn, this rosé raises a middle finger to the current trend of super-lean, delicate, dry styles and really puts itself out there as a bold, generously proportioned, pogo-dancing cougar who couldn’t care less about subtlety. … Read More
Central Otago
Quartz Reef Central Otago Mèthode Traditionnelle Vintage Rosé 2016
Quartz Reef Central Otago Mèthode Traditionnelle Vintage Rosé 2016 $110 When Quartz Reef declares a vintage for one of its sparkling wines, you know that winemaker Rudi Bauer and his team are 100% in love with the quality of the pinot noir from that year and infatuated enough to not blend it with any other … Read More
Domain Road Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Domain Road Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $42 Oh. Ok. Put your phone down, press ‘mute’ on the remote and divert your gaze away from Aussie Gold Hunters or Repair Shop or whatever it is you’re watching because this pinot noir deserves your eyeballs and tastebud attention. Vibrant, energetic, and saturated with exotic spices, … Read More
Coal Pit The Leo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019
Coal Pit The Leo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $140 Named after the grandson of owner Rosie Dunphy, this is the second wine to be bottled under Coal Pit’s ‘Next Generation Series’. With its distinctive Chris Heaphy-designed label, it’s crafted from a blend sourced from seven of their best barrels from the 2019 harvest and … Read More
Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $57 2020 was a doozy of a vintage, cooler than usual and seriously tricky in terms of shepherding the grapes from berry to bottle while navigating the health and safety precautions of a global pandemic. Yet the Tiwha reveals a slick, silky, sinewy texture wrapped around dark … Read More
Coal Pit Proprietor’s Reserve Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Coal Pit Proprietor’s Reserve Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $45 If there’s one thing that’ll conjure up tropical imaginings in Central Otago, it’s this fresh, fruity sauvignon blanc. Ultra-tiny amounts are made at Coal Pit, and when it’s released it disappears fast, so I’m extremely fortunate to have snaffled one to taste. Lithe, lemony, and … Read More
Bald Hills Last Light Central Otago Riesling 2021
Bald Hills Last Light Central Otago Riesling 2021 $30 At a positively demure 11.5% alcohol this riesling romps in with magic mandarin and apple aromatics, a palate draped in honeysuckle and a finish that’s laced with fresh lime layers. A lick of grapefruit and a teensy tweak of creamy nougat features in the background, making … Read More
Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $48 Crafted from individually-handled parcels of Dijon and Pommard clone pinot noir, this wild-fermented wine is absolutely heaving with red fruits and roaring “cellar me!” Energetic and flowing with floral complexity, black guava, tea leaf and tamarillo tones. Intensely floral and frisky-fresh on the nose yet fabulously moody, brooding … Read More
Driven Snow Central Otago Pinot Gris 2020
Driven Snow Central Otago Pinot Gris 2020 $25.99 Nutmeg-dusted nashi notes combine with a splash of poached quince and fresh peachy punchiness on the nose and palate of this crunchy-crisp pinot gris. Deliciously dry and showing a core of minerality which brings an extra layer of complexity and citrosity (new word) to the finish. Powerhouse … Read More
Folding Hill Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Folding Hill Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $45 Just 300 cases were made of this unfined, unfiltered pinot noir and as soon as word gets out on how spice-stacked and characterful it is, I imagine they’ll be down to zero cases pretty quick. Vibrant, energetic and laced with tamarillo and dark cherry complexity on the … Read More