Mature Vine Pinot Noir

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.

Some whole bunch twigginess on nose. On palate a closed core of rich fruit needing time to fully reveal itself. Currently savoury plum notes rule. A good example of Central Otago Pinot from picturesque Lake Wanaka and made by the enigmatic Nick Mills who gave his presentation at NZ Pinot Noir 17 in bare feet.... in tune with the Maori dancers he said. I do have a problem with the fruit bomb nature of Otago Pinots which can be a bit one dimensional even with a little age like this one. One exception was a 10 year old Felton Road Block 3. Personally prefer Martinborough or Canterbury for NZ Pinots.

Have made notes about this remarkable Pinot elsewhere. Even more enjoyable tasting it and chatting with Nick Mills, the highly enthusiastic, intelligent and eccentric winemaker and owner of Rippon who must have the most scenic workplace of any of us on the shores of Lake Wanaka.

Pleasant earthy mushroom and dried cherry aromas. Flavors of cherry, pomegranate and cranberry.

Lush with a long way to go.

Earth, dried fruit, last bottle

Dense and savory. Dark fruit and earthiness.

2012

Lovely Pinot from NZ. Comparable to many American Pinots at a reasonable price point.

Wow.