REVIEWS:

92 points Gourmet Traveller Wine December 2009: "Dense, rich pinot noir with intense plum, dark cherry and spice flavours. Silken textured wine with an impressively lingering finish. This is one of the best examples tasted from this high-performing Bannockburn vineyard." Bob Campbell MW

Gold Medal at the prestigious 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Rosemary George MW, a UK wine judge. “The 2007 developed beautifully over the evening. Deep vibrant colour with an initially closed fresh nose, some ripe fruit and a firm streak of tannin. It developed some lovely black cherry aromas, and is layered and textured with good fruit and depth and would continue to develop in the bottle.”

Geoff Kelly  (*****) Big pinot noir ruby,  above midway in depth,  not as youthful as some 2007s.  Bouquet is intensely floral,  including dusky rose and boronia aromas,  with red grading to black cherry fruit teetering towards plummyness,  and some sur-maturité.  Palate rescues the wine,  being fresh,  the flavours dark … yes,  but not heavy,  with sensitive oaking,  and great length on the skin tannins,  all lingering attractively.  A clue to the volume of bouquet is apparent in the slight suggestion of stalkyness on palate,  but the total depth of varietal fruit is remarkable – a lovely wine.  The benefits of a part-stalk component in the fermentation are well-apparent here.  Cellar 3 – 8 years.”

Awards:

Sydney International Wine Competition 2009  Blue/Gold And Top 100

Decanter World Wine Awards 2009  Gold Medal ( the only one for Central Otago!)

International Wine And Spirit Competition (London) 2008 Silver Medal