Award winning Central Otago Pinot noir from New Zealand. Violets and cherries have leading roles with hints of thyme. The palate shows youth with a generous fruit weight.

Winemakers comments: Viper Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in the Grandstand Block of the Viper Vineyard in the Parkburn area on the western side of Lake Dunstan. The vineyard takes it name from the wildflower ”Vipers Bugloss” that covers the area. This vineyard sits on an undulating terrace above the valley floor. The soils are predominantly sandy loam over red clay cemented schist gravel. The terrace enjoys moderate temperatures and a long growing season. Ripening tends to be late into the season as the daytime temperatures are cooling. The cooler ripening tends to produce spicy wines with dark fruit flavours and density on the palate. The Viper is always made from the Grandstand block in the vineyard and the wine always stands out as uniquely in the cellar as it does in the bottle. wine notes: Red cherries, peppery spice and purple florals lying over an earthy background make up a deep and sumptuous aroma. The palate is all about an effortless balance and dance between suppleness and structure, sweet cherry and dark spice, weight and elegance, poise and power and a long satisfying tail. harvest: 4th April 2019 in bottle: 5th November 2020 Brix 23.3 pH – 3.65 pH 3.29 TA – 5.4g/L TA 6.9g/L Alc. – 13.8%.

Winemaker’s comments: The Tiger Pinot Noir is a single vineyard wine made from grapes grown in our Tiger vineyard in the Lowburn sub-region. The vineyard is on sloping land up off the valley floor and this elevated cooler position allows the vineyard to ripen slowly, building layer upon layer of flavour nuance and soft silky tannins. The wines from this vineyard typically display spicy aromatic red berry fruits and violets. The palate is characterised by a broad structure and layers of fine integrated tannin and fruit which is more textural than structural. The Tiger is always quite shy and reticent in its youth and after 4-5 years in bottle it really blossoms and expresses itself. Wine notes: Opens with an aromatic potpourri of fresh red berry fruit, warm spice, and dried herbs. There are layers of fine silky tannins. The broad structure provides a seamless frame and space for the lingering interplay of red berry and savoury flavours slowly fading with calm persistent clarity and detail.

The Last Chance is a beautifully sited small terrace perched above the Earnscleugh Valley, carefully planted with well-tended Burgundian clone pinot noir. It is one of a small cluster of the worlds most southerly vineyards and takes its name from the watercourse that runs through its heart, hand-dug by gold miners in the 1860s The Last Chance. The soils are raw schist gravels. The Last Chance Pinot Noir is hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. One-third whole-bunch natural fermentation in a 3.5 tonne wooden vat. Five-day cold soak. Post fermentation transferred to medium and light toast French barriques for 11 months maturation. One-third new wood and the balance in second and third fill barrels. Light filtration prior to bottling. The Lasdt Chance Pinot Noir typically shows thyme, wild flower, red fruit and spiciness on the nose leading to a complex palate showing great coverage, elegance and length.

The First Paddock is Two Paddocks original vineyard. Planted in 1993, it is among Central Otagos oldest vineyards, superbly situated in upper Gibbston, meticulously tended and planted to carefully selected Burgundian Pinot Noir vines clones. This wine is typically sourced from the same 25 rows of Clone 5, planted in 1993. Hand harvested and sorted then a 50% whole bunch indigenous ferment in a dedicated First Paddock French oak vat. Matured in 30% new French oak with the balance in older wood for an extended 14 months of barrel maturation. The First Paddock Pinot Noir is typically dark, brooding and spicy, with dried herb aromatics and a textured palate showing brightness, finesse and elegance on a long finish.

Elegantly concentrated flavours of vibrant dark berry and black cherry fruit showing succulence and rich intensity. The palate is guided by very fine-grained, chalky tannins, with soft acidity providing drive & liveliness. A silken seduction framed & balanced with fine tannins providing the most elegant structure.

This wine has an intriguing, bright garnet hue, captivating on the nose with ripe cherry, wild strawberries and bramble notes. On the palate, the wine is rich and flowing with tantalising bready sweetness. Rich boysenberry flavours are supported by elegant French oak, lending spice and toasty notes. The finish is lingering and complex, bright with natural acidity.

Dedicated solely to perfecting the variety, Black Grape Society have come mightily close to Pinot perfection with this Cromwell Basin sourced beauty. Deep and rich in flavour and colour, the juicy plum, cherry and blackberry palate make way for a ripe savoury finish.

This wine is made from grapes grown in vineyards in different sub-regions of Central Otago. It captures the character of each vineyard giving us bright, fresh sweet fruit with savory and herbal tones and good texture and mineral length.