As someone who cannot resist adding yet another book to already teetering piles, the creeping fear of needing to live to 500 to read them all is very real. The pleasure then of rereading a favourite book is an infrequent one, but when it occurs it is a very real pleasure indeed.
Tag: central otago
Quartz Reef duo
Bendigo is a tricky subregion to get right, its (relative) heat and exposure can render it chunky and charmless at times but Rudi is very much amongst the safest of Bendigo hands. The alignment of his experience on his site and winemaking skill have delivered a fitting tribute to the vineyard that put the subregion on the map.
2017 Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir
Central Otago’s Grasshopper Rock is located in Alexandra, a sub-region chosen (according to the GR website) for being the most world’s most southerly, the driest in NZ, and the one that experiences the biggest diurnal temperature shift (Alexandra has also recorded New Zealand’s hottest and coldest temperatures). Extreme to say the least. So it always…
Masters of Wine Trip 2019
” There have been more lavish trips. There have been more luxurious trips. There have been shorter trips and longer trips. There have been trips with less farting and bus drivers with slightly more interesting delivery. But I don’t think there has ever been a better trip. “
Chard Farm 2017 Pinot Noirs
Chard Farm may be located in one of the world’s more spectacular settings for a winery but the wines themselves are resolutely unshowy. Indeed, when tasting Chard Farm’s stable of pinot noirs, it’s hard not to think about John Wallace, winemaker for the past two decades
Doctors Flat : 2016 Pinot Noir
With each successive vintage, Steve Davis confirms his place as one of Central’s best producers. A quietly spoken man, the wine is a good reflection of its maker; never flamboyant but showing confidence and presence.
Prophets Rock : new releases
And whilst there is absolutely no question we should pay a realistic price for wines made from carefully farmed vineyards by thoughtful winemakers, one has to wonder if it might be an uphill battle to convince pinot gris drinkers.
Burn Cottage : new releases
We eagerly anticipate the annual arrival of the new releases from Burn Cottage, a producer who has, in a relatively short period of time, mananged to produce some of New Zealand’s most thoughtful pinot noirs.
Two Paddocks : new releases
The evolution of Central Otago pinot noir has been a fascinating journey to watch. The 2002s, arguably the first vintage to really attract attention, were highly acclaimed.
Felton Road Retrospective
Let me begin with a disclaimer. This is indeed a flattering review typed after an enjoyable lunch. Oh dear.But having tasted such a stellar line-up of Felton Road’s latest releases (plus some gems from the cellar), I would have to have had no sense of taste at all or be curmudgeonly in the extreme not…