Mt. Difficulty

Bannockborn Pinot Gris 2020

Douglas Downie

9.0

Drinking the Bannockburn Pinot Noir in Bannockburn and it’s lovely. Juicy berries and velvety smooth. — a month ago

Domain Road Vineyard

The Water Race Dry Riesling 2017

Bob McDonald

9.1

Very pale lemon. Soft citrus notes with a hint of ginger - also mineral. On the palate lemon citrus and touch of mandarin as well as a small amount of residual sweetness but definitely dry at 11.5% ABV. Central Otago known for its fleshy Pinot Noir but the Riesling and Chardonnay are very good as well. Tried another bottle 102 weeks later on 9th February 2022 with consistent notes - chalky, tart with citric acid. Not bad - needs more volume. Will probably fill out with more time in the cellar. Tasted another bottle on 1st August 2022. Interesting to see how this wine is maturing. Developing some paraffin/kerosene notes but not unpleasant. A trace of residual sweetness amongst the mellowing citrus notes. Riesling like Chardonnay are largely under rated in New Zealand compared to the Savalanche!! — 4 years ago

Severn, Arden and 11 others liked this

Terra Sancta

Slapjack Block Single Block Cental Otago Pinot Noir 2015

Jan de Weerd

9.2

Cruising Central Otago in search of the perfect Pinot. Learning a lot. Today we were in the Bannockburn region. Forward vibrant red fruit. The standard Pinots estate blends we found somewhat single note with a fairly strong green edge for most wineries. Had to get to the slightly more aged, single blocks to pick up better balance and complexity. This one was like that. We met with Sara, the proprietor. Couldn’t find a better host. What a fun person, very passionate about what she is doing. A warm person in a cold climate 😊. — 5 years ago

with Tammy

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Felton Road

Bannockburn Riesling 2021

Oskar Hallberg

8.9

Lite sparkling, inte för sött för va riesling o tydlig syrlighet — 8 months ago

Rippon Vineyard

Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2012

Bob McDonald

9.3

Earthy aromas with ripe plum notes - a very Otago nose albeit in the lighter spectrum. Same notes transfer to the medium bodied sappy palate. Not as full bodied as I was expecting. Quite Burgundian in weight and texture. Made by the equally earthy Nick Mills, owner and winemaker who made his presentation at Pinot NZ 2018 in Wellington in bare feet. Rippon is biodynamic and chemical free. I subsequently had a nice chat with him - a genuine bloke. Must be one of the prettiest vineyard scenes anywhere in the world sloping up from Lake Wanaka. Whilst this is classed as Central Otago this is not as full bodied as the Bannockburn/Felton Road district. — 4 years ago

Severn, Clive and 17 others liked this