Classic cold climate Pinot. Deep red. Fruit forward but enough balance and structure to make it interesting. Well balanced acidity. Great wine — 8 years ago
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. — 8 years ago
Really nice after nearly 20 years - tons of sweet silky fruit, beet root earth, floral perfume, beautiful texture, admirable length! — 9 years ago
With @Clement Leroux - the complexity of the Faiveley outperformed the rippon. Higher acidity but younger, intense blackberry and raspberries, light leather notes and hints of vanilla. I want more! — 6 years ago
So vibrant and energetic. Dark fruit, herbs, and dirt. A bit of co2 spritz which in addition to the acid makes it incredibly refreshing. — 8 years ago
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. — 8 years ago
Dinner with the Mills’! — 6 years ago
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. — 7 years ago
Christmas 2015 - perfect wine to celebrate a special evening w/ family and friends. — 8 years ago
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 — 9 years ago
Big Wave Dave
The most mineral and least fruit driven Sauv Blanc tasted. Citrus and mineral dominate, with a bit of austere depth. Even more mineral than Sancerre — 5 years ago