Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose, the fruits have a creamy cola quality. Black cherries, cherries, haunting blue fruits, strawberries, pomegranate, cranberries with red & pink roses and violets. The reserve is much more textured and lush than the two other Pinot's we tasted. The fruits on the palate match the nose. Heavier; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla. Crushed rocks, dark soils, red roses & red flowers, black cherry cola, leathery, very good chalkiness & round acidity. The even finish is thicker, richer and more elegant with lifting spices that lingers on the palate. I couldn't resist using this photo I received of the view from "Rippon Estate" in the sunshine. The fog was still in during our morning visit. Additional photos of inside the "Gibbston Valley" Cellar Door. — 8 years ago

Leo Chyi

9.3

Burgundian style, started with cranberry but quickly became darker and earthier, nice forest floor elements — 10 years ago

Penny Loving

9.3

Saved this Magnum for a special evening. It lived up to all expectations...perfect balance, light, dry, with hints of honey. So glad we waited, so sorry it is gone. — 10 years ago

Robbie Ward

9.1

Crystal clear. Pure. Beautiful rendition of Riesling — 11 years ago

Brent Mayeaux

Production Burn Cottage Vineyard

9.1

Really pretty, high quality, fruit. Cherry and cranberry. A medley of non-fruit in the background waiting to come forward, but I didn't spend enough time with it. Just a mouthful without being heavy. Very soft, powdery, tannins. This will be a beauty in a few years. — 9 years ago

Brent Mayeaux

Production Burn Cottage Vineyard

9.1

So vibrant and energetic. Dark fruit, herbs, and dirt. A bit of co2 spritz which in addition to the acid makes it incredibly refreshing. — 10 years ago

Eric Hwang

9.2

Not a typical Gewürtz. More like a perfumed Riesling with an added spice component. — 10 years ago

Michael "Bucky" Buckelew

Sommelier Ristorante del Lago at The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs

9.2

Schist happens — 10 years ago

Michael "Bucky" Buckelew

Sommelier Ristorante del Lago at The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs

9.3

Really nice after nearly 20 years - tons of sweet silky fruit, beet root earth, floral perfume, beautiful texture, admirable length! — 11 years ago

Rocket Rod

9.0

Classic cold climate Pinot. Deep red. Fruit forward but enough balance and structure to make it interesting. Well balanced acidity. Great wine — 10 years ago

with John

Brent Mayeaux

Production Burn Cottage Vineyard

9.1

Blind. I called Central Otago Pinot almost immediately. It exuded it. The color/structure/concentration. It wasn't as clean/stripped as many are though and had some faint natural wine traits as well as some emerging mature wine character(showing smoke/mocha, dirt/hummus/mushrooms). I thought it was possibly Rippon from a ripe vintage since the tannin structure seemed familiar.

First vintage of Pinot for Sato. He was figuring things out and picks earlier now(this was 14% alc) and gets a but less oak extraction. For fans of the typical Otago Pinot, this will be a treat. — 10 years ago

Penny Loving

9.6

Christmas 2015 - perfect wine to celebrate a special evening w/ family and friends. — 10 years ago

Anna Tyack

9.0

A bright future ahead for this first vintage of sans soufre pinot noir from Tinker's Field block @ Rippon in Wanaka | Only 35 cases made in 2013, none in 2014 | To put back in the cellar for another couple of years — 11 years ago