Reserve Pinot Noir

Michael Cooper.  2017 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars. "Enticingly perfumed, the 2017 vintage was estate-grown and hand-harvested at Tarras, matured for two years in four French oak barrels (40 per cent new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bright ruby, it is a distinctive wine, drinking beautifully now, with strong, vibrant cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, fresh acidity, and a savoury, seamless finish. Best drinking 2023+."

Raymond Chan.  2017 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars. 18+/20. "Deep, dark ruby with some depth, lighter edged. The nose is elegantly full with depth, nuances of cherries, plums melded with little dried cranberries, unfolding thyme and sweet spices. Medium-full bodied, the palate is packed full of cherries, stewed plums and dried cranberries with good intensity, delicate spices, thyme and subtle deep floral echoing on the palate, leaves a lengthy, full finish. The wine is mellowed and integrated; development of the dried and stewed fruit characters and integrated acidity are shown; supple tannin has a soft grip, coating the palate with breadth and intensity. This is a gracefully developed Pinot Noir with intensity and integrated supple palate. Match with hare and duck over the next 5 years."

James Suckling.  2017 Reserve Pinot Noir.  91/100. "A small production of just four barrels with a rich, spicy edge to the ripe red cherries and red plums. The palate has a wealth of flesh and supple fruit with some pepper and graphite to the sweet, tangy flavors. Soft, ripe tannins. Drink now."

Sam Kim.  2016 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars. 96/100. "Immensely complex and engaging, the wine shows dark cherry, sweet plum, vanillin oak and smoked game characters on the nose with a hint of earthy mushrooms. The palate displays excellent concentration and plush mouthfeel, wonderfully supported by layers of silky tannins, finishing impressively long and velvety. Graceful, expansive and hugely appealing with delightful savoury nuances. At its best: now to 2026."

Raymond Chan.  2016 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars. 19/20. "Deep, medium ruby-red with depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is deep and concentrated. Medium-full bodied, flavours of spiced plums, dark cherries and deep red florals, melded with development of dried thyme, game, cured meat, enlivened by a subtle layer of schist mineral. Fine-grained tannin extraction, reminiscent of Pu-er tea tannins, supple and earthy, along with spices and sweet liquorice carries the wine to a long sustained finish. Complexing flavours, gently nutty, warm chocolate, cedar characters unfolding as the wine aerated. This is an elegantly developed Pinot Noir with complex flavours and interest. Match with lamb and venison over the next 5-6 years."

Michael Cooper.  2016 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars. "Still youthful, the very elegant 2016 vintage was estate-grown at Tarras, hand-harvested, matured for two years in French oak barrels, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep, bright ruby, it has a fragrant, savoury, spicy bouquet. Mouthfilling, it is concentrated and supple, with deep, ripe, plummy, spicy, slightly nutty flavours, showing good complexity, and a finely structured, harmonious finish. Currently delicious, it should be at its best 2022+."

Winestate Magazine.  2015 Reserve Pinot Noir.  4.5 stars. "Delicious now, this rare, estate-grown red was matured for two years in four French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Ruby hued, it is an elegant, savoury, supple wine, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty and complex."

Michael Cooper.  2014 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars.  "This fragrant, silky-textured red was estate-grown at Tarras, in the Cromwell Basin. Barrel-selected, it is a very harmonious, ‘complete’ red, already delicious, with deep, ripe plum, cherry and nut flavours, savoury and lingering."

Sam Kim.  2014 Reserve Pinot Noir.  95/100.  "A glorious expression; the impressively complex and fragrant bouquet shows spiced cherry, plum, cedar, smoked game, truffle and floral aromas, leading to a powerful palate that is both delicious and elegant at the same time."

Winestate Magazine.  2014 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars. 

Raymond Chan.  2014 Reserve Pinot Noir.  5 stars. 18.5/20.  "The nose is firm and tightly bound with good depth and density. The fruit aromatics of red berry fruits is a little restrained, but there is spicy and nutty oak, and a ‘textured’ aroma showing substance. Fullish bodied, and intense on palate with ripe cherry-berry fruit, fresh and dried herbs, earth, and spicy, toasty oak, the fruit is rich and succulent, but balanced by the fine-grained extraction and structure."

Robert Parker Wine Advocate.  2013 Pinot Noir Reserve. 91+/100.  "Medium garnet colored with a touch of purple, the 2013 Grand Reserve Pinot Noir has a pronounced black cherry and blackberry nose with hints of anise, cinnamon and chocolate. Medium-bodied and well-structured, with a firm backbone and lively acid, it has great length with earthiness coming through on the finish."

Sam Kim.  2013 Pinot Noir Reserve. 96/100.   "A compelling rendition of the variety, the wine shows outstanding fruit richness together with layers of stylish savoury complexity. Aromas of dark berry, game, cedar, cocoa and truffle with hints of clove and dried herbs on the nose. The palate is dense and plush, and velvety and sweetly delicious, with waves of ripe fruit flavours and assortment of spice and earthy undertones. At its best: now to 2025."

Raymond Chan.  2013 Pinot Noir Reserve.  18.5/20.  "The nose is full of fresh, ripe fruit aromas of dark red berry fruit and black cherries with nuances of dark red plums forming a soft, densely packed core. The aromas are harmonious and integrated, unveiling notes of thyme herbs, black minerals and some oak spice elements. Full-bodied, deep, rich and vibrantly sweet fruit flavours of dark red berryfruit, black cherries and nuances of plum feature on the palate. Subtle layers of dark plums, liquorice, violet florals and oak spices emerge to provide complexing interest. The fruit is supported by fine-grained tannin extraction and structure, with enlivening lacy acidity... This is a full-bodied, ripe, dark-red and black-fruited Pinot Noir with fine structure and plenty of power. Serve with slow-cooked game meat dishes over the next 6-8+ years."

Bob Campbell.  2013 Pinot Noir Reserve. 94/100. 

PINOT NOIR

Winestate.  2019 Pinot Noir.  4.5 stars. "This seductively smooth and harmonious red was estate-grown at Tarras, in the Cromwell Basin.  Ruby hued, it is fragrant, with generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and gentle acidity.  Already delicious."

Michael Cooper.  2018 Pinot Noir.  4.5 stars. "This single-vineyard wine is grown at Tarras, in the Cromwell Basin, matured for nearly a year in oak barrels (French, 20 per cent new in 2018), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2018 vintage (4.5*) is ruby hued, with a fragrant, savoury bouquet. Mouthfilling and supple, it has ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, very good complexity and harmony, and a finely textured finish. Drink now or cellar."

Michael Cooper.  2017 Pinot Noir.  5 stars. "This single-vineyard wine is grown at Tarras, in the Cromwell Basin, matured for nearly a year in oak barrels (mostly French, 22 per cent new in 2017), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2017 vintage (5*) is the finest yet. Deep, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing good complexity, that build to a finely textured, harmonious finish. Delicious now, it should be at its best 2021+. Fine value."

Sam Kim.  2016 Pinot Noir.  94/100.  "Gorgeously expressed on the nose showing spiced cherry, dark plum, roasted almond, game and floral characters with a hint of dried herb complexity. The palate is concentrated and expansive, delivering fabulous fruit weight and intensity, elegantly framed by fine, polished tannins. The wine is plush yet elegant, and finishes impressively long and engaging. At its best: now to 2022."

Michael Cooper.  2015 Pinot Noir.  4.5 stars.  "This single-vineyard, Cromwell Basin red is a graceful, rather than powerful, style of pinot noir. It’s ruby hued, perfumed and sweet-fruited, with mouthfilling body, generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, good complexity and a seductive, silky texture."

Sam Kim.  2015 Pinot Noir.  95/100.  "A wonderfully complex offering; the seductively expressed bouquet shows spiced cherry, olive, truffle and smoked game characters with nuances of vanilla and roasted almond. The palate is concentrated and persistent, while remaining elegant and refined. It is seamless and flowing to a gorgeous silky finish. At its best: now to 2021."

Sam Kim.  2014 Pinot Noir.  94/100.  "Wonderfully perfumed and inviting, the bouquet shows dark cherry, roasted almond, mushroom, floral and spice notes, followed by a succulent palate that is beautifully weighted and rounded, and shows silky texture and supple tannins. The wine is flavoursome, generous and velvety to the finish. At its best: now to 2022."

Michael Cooper.  2014 Pinot Noir.  4.5 stars.  "This single-vineyard, Cromwell Basin red is sturdy, sweet-fruited and smooth. Ruby hued, it is weighty and savoury, with ripe cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing good complexity."

NZ International Wine Show.  2013 Pinot Noir.  Gold Medal.

Winestate.  2013 Pinot Noir.  4.5 stars.

Wine Spectator.  2013 Pinot Noir.  90/100.   

Robert Parker Wine Advocate.  2012 Pinot Noir.  90/100.  "Pale ruby colored, the 2012 Pinot Noir has notes of roses, tea and underbrush with kirsch at the core. Medium-bodied, finely knit and fresh with a nice grainy backbone and good length, it’s delicious for drinking now."

Sam Kim.  2012 Pinot Noir.  95/100.  "Silky, seamless and seductive, this gorgeous pinot is filled with dark fruit, smoked meat, roasted almond and earthy mushroom notes with a hint of thyme complexity. The palate is wonderfully harmonious and generous, and offers terrific drinking. So easy on the palate, even though the wine is concentrated and brilliantly structured. At its best: now