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
Central Otago
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
Bald Hills Kirameki Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021
Bald Hills Kirameki Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021 $30 Every year the team at Bald Hills release a Kirameki – I get super excited, and it’s fast becoming one of my favourite Central Otago examples. Soothing to sip, yet it’s laced with energetic acidity and complex baking spice notes and the nashi and quince core … Read More
Bald Hills Last Light Central Otago Riesling 2020
Bald Hills Last Light Central Otago Riesling 2020 $30 Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Kedgeree in NZ Herald Canvas Aug 20 2022. If Pete Bartle ever makes a riesling that isn’t exceptionally balanced and beautiful, then stick a fork in me, ‘cos I’m done. Sourced from Bald Hills’ Bannockburn site, the single hectare of vines that … Read More
Valli Bendigo Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Valli Bendigo Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $75 With aromas that remind me of the lush, leafy, mossy scent of walking through native bush after it’s rained, this pinot is awash with forest floor earthiness, black tea, tamarillo and concentrated cherry characters. Bright, fleshy, energetic and stylishly crafted, it’s delicious in its youth and … Read More
Valli Gibbston Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Valli Gibbston Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $75 Glossy and garnet-hued in the glass, it’s bursting with exotic florals, black guava, pepper and red apple notes, while on the palate, it’s energetic yet silky-textured, spice-saturated and and showing incredible grace and poise. It has a seamless structure, soothing, slippery, yet clinging to every cell … Read More