Another sensational Felton Road from the deep glacial soils of Calvert, effortlessly elegant, resolutely medium-bodied and light on its feet, capturing seamless harmony while sacrificing nothing in definition, structure and enduring energy. The bouquet is ethereal and alluring, alive with violet perfume, cherry kernel, mixed spice and black cherries. The palate delivers wonderful depth and […]

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New Zealand’s first grand cru, 2011 Emma’s ranks among the most profound pinots I’ve tasted outside the hallowed halls of Burgundy itself. Such is its impeccable craftsmanship that no detail is lost in capturing the spirit of this remarkable single block on the lakefront within the Rippon vineyard. The bouquet is ethereal, wafting with violet […]

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Mt Difficulty’s single vineyards should be fitted with a time lock that won’t allow the bottle to be opened until at least a decade after vintage. In 2012, it should be set to 15 years. This is a vintage of excellent tannin profile of finely ground mineral, delightfully confident structure, very impressive poise and seamless […]

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Dry River has not always delivered pinot noir that lives up to its grand reputation, but welcome to a new day. 2011 is one of the greats, a wine of intense exoticism and great concentration, yet impeccably controlled and alluringly medium-bodied. This estate has classically achieved concentration through low cropping, but in 2011 it has […]

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Felton Road’s 2012 pinots just might be the finest set of new world pinots I have yet tasted. I have certainly never before scored five wines an average of 96 points (search for “Felton Road” at www.tysonstelzer.com to see them all). The planets aligned when Blair Walter and Nigel Greening’s fanaticism in the vineyard and […]

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Mount Edward winemaker Duncan Forsyth is a dynamo of youthful enthusiasm in Central Otago, and we have long awaited the day when his wines rise to the full height of this man’s dedication. That day came in 2012, and his greatest wines yet have now been unleashed for all to admire. Morrison delivers sensational poise […]

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With vines approaching 30 years of age, Rippon is privileged to the oldest commercial plantings in Central Otago. Tinker’s Field is testimony to the ability of these deep roots to draw delightfully mineral-fine yet firmly enduring tannins. These are overlaid with exotic complexity of spice, pepper and sarsaparilla and great definition of black and red […]

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A pinot noir of impeccable seamlessness, great persistence and enduring longevity, this is classic Martinborough and a standout 2011. A delightfully fragrant bouquet sings of rose hip, red cherries, brambles and subtle nuances of exotic spice. A pinot noir of elegant determination, the palate is impeccably understated and beautifully structured with fine, mineral, gravelly tannins. […]

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Angel Flower presents a lovely, ethereal elegance, while maintaining a brightness of fruit not always evident in Pyramid Valley’s idiosyncratic, naturally grown and made style. These are wines that push the boundaries, cloudy and browning in appearance, with an appeal for those seeing anything but the status quo. This is a particularly fragrant wine of […]

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A grand cru site by any definition, this is a seriously impressive Bell Hill that captures the textural expression of a remarkable place within an expressively fruity style. It’s ripe and full, with grand depth, great fruit presence and complexity of black plums, dark berry compote, mixed spice, pipe smoke and exotic notes, even hints […]

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