I’ve watched a number of Central Otago producers bow to inflationary pressures and increase prices this year, while others have managed to hold their line for now. The interesting category is the lower end where prices have stayed remarkably stable. A shift of even $1 or $2 can have quite an impact at sensitive retail price points such as $25, $29.99 or $39.99, with wineries working hard to offer excellent bang for buck at these levels.
2019 Domain Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Starts with earth and wet stones, a
sweet fragrance, a
funky nuance, mint/
menthol with time. A
cooler, minerally
feel, red fruits,
pencil shavings,
savoury influences
with chewy tannins
to the fore. This
shows its youthful
side as the
deceptive tannic
power builds.
Almost a gangly
youthfulness, that
would pair well with
food.
domainroad.co.nz
2020 Misha’s Vineyard The High Note Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Dusty stones, gravel,
sweet fruit swells, a
wild herb backdrop,
with time a wisp of sour
cherry. Rich entry,
spices, sweet licorice,
a touch of herb/stalk,
the fruit nicely in
support, an earthy
aspect as it opens up.
Still youthful but nice
balance and integration.
There’s a grainy, chewy
feel to the texture,
playfully flirting with a
sweet and sour note.
Fresh and inviting.
mishasvineyard.com
2020 Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Attractive perfume leads,
florality, violets, ripe
fruits, lead pencil,
elegant, some oak scents
with time. A sense of
delicacy, the fruit in a
medium-weight register
rather than a bruiser,
adding chewiness to the
mouth feel. Nicely
balanced and already
rather approachable,
silkiness building, this
charms you with
subtlety, allowing you to
ponder its delights.
burncottage.com
2020 Misha’s Vineyard Cantata Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Hints of tangy
piquancy, schisty
minerality, fruit power
and perfume growing.
Deceptively rich in the
mouth, backed by a
corset of tannins,
spice notes, black tea/
tea leaf, ever-present
sweet fruit. Light on its
feet, yet with lovely
flavour depth. That
tangy quality on the
nose carries over to
the palate, keeping this
bright and fresh.
mishasvineyard.com
2021 Misha’s Vineyard Tempo Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Interesting nose playing
another chord, fresh
sawn oak, forest floor,
tilled earth, fruit swelling,
supporting the whole.
The palate plies another
course, powerfully
fruited yet nicely dry,
tannic backbone giving
this structure, adding a
spiced toffee touch.
Bright acidity, youthfully
intense, with a long fruit-
filled lip-smacking finish.
Excellent ingredient for
the money.
mishasvineyard.com
2019 Burn Cottage Sauvage Vineyard Bannockburn Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Spices, herbs, iron
filings, a beguiling
perfume, ever-present
fruit. Super fruit weight
in the mouth, matched
by its powerful tannic
backbone, a bolder
wine yet not forced.
Chewy, almost chalky,
there is real grip here
yet a velvety feel too.
Develops a delightful
savoury quality, ripe
yet not over-sweet,
with a long, long finish.
Complex. An iron fist in
a velvet glove.
burncottage.com
2021 Domaine Thomson Explorer Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Oak spices and scents
lead, fragrance, red
fruits, rather inviting.
That spiciness also
evident on the palate,
savoury touches too,
the red fruits to the
fore. There’s intent
here, the depth of
flavour and tannic
structure growing with
time in the glass.
Deceptively powerful
wine, its structure
drives it along, the
long, attractively dry
close framed by fruit.
domainethomsonwines.com
2020 Dicey Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
A beetroot tinge,
shifting to perfume and
florality, an umami
quality, fruit neatly in
support, earthiness
later. The palate
follows the savoury
theme, tilled earth,
minerality, quite fine
tannins, structure yet
approachability.
Supple initially, more
chewy, the backbone
evident as it breathes,
closing with sweet fruit
lift. Some youthful
brashness, vibrant and
lively.
dicey.nz
