Central Otago for Asia

Tasting Notes

Central Otago Tasting at Chard Farm Winery, 31st July 2009

Carrick Riesling 2008
Bannockburn, Central Otago, 12%, “Off-Dry”
85 points
Intense aromas - tropical, pineapple, spiced pears, apricots and honey.  Touch of residual sugar, crisp, light to med body.  Good intensity and balance.  Med – long finish.

Wild Earth Riesling 2008
Bannockburn, Central Otago, 12.5%
88 points
Subtle aromas of honeysuckle and lime leaf.  Medium body.  Seems quite dry though mentions a sweetness on back label.  Crisp.  Long with some minerals.

Chard Farm Riesling 2008
Central Otago (Park Burn, Pisa), 11% “Off-Dry”
89 points
Represented by Asia Wine Connection.
Complex, chalky nose with notes of struck flint, white pepper, jasmine and lime leaf.  Slightly sweet style, light to medium body, crisp and minerally.  Long finish.

Aurum Pinot Gris 2008
Central Otago, 12.5%, “Off-Dry”
85 points
Represented by New Zealand Wine (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Warm apples and pears with a touch of spice and a little rubber.  Medium acid, medium body.  Good though just a little hollow and lacking in flavor concentration generally.  Medium+ finish.

Nevis Bluff Pinot Gris 2007
Central Otago, 14%
86 points
Represented by Everwise Wine Ltd., Hong Kong
Tropical, green mango aromas, melon and warm pears.  Dry, nice concentration, quite creamy with a kind of lemon butter character.  Full body, medium acid.  Long finish.

Te Mara Pinot Gris 2008
Parkburn, Central Otago
89 points
Intense aromas of pears, golden delicious apples, warm peaches and spice.  Silky / oily texture, full body and medium+ acidity.  Nice balance.  Long spicy finish.

Coal Pit Tiwha Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago, Single Vineyard, Gibbston, 13.5%
86 points
Medium ruby-purple colour.  Rubber, tar, warm raspberry and dried herbs on the nose.  Crisp acidity, medium body, and fine tannins of a medium level.  Medium-long finish.

Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir 2008
Earnscleugh Vineyard, Alexandra, Central Otago, 14.2%
88 points
Medium ruby-purple colour.  Intense cherry aromas complimented by cinnamon and a touch of black pepper.  Medium level of fine tannins, medium-high acid.  Medium-full body and good concentration.  Long finish.

Picnic by Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2008
Alexandra, Central Otago, 13.5%
85 points
Represented by Northeast Wines & Spirits (Hong Kong) and Beautiful Wine (Singapore)
Pale to medium ruby-purple colour.  Yeasty, savoury, wild aromas with notes of warm strawberry and cumin.  Medium to high acid, just a little hollow, soft tannins, medium body.  Medium-long finish.

Judge Rock Pinot Noir 2008
Alexandra, Central Otago, 13.5%
89 points
Pale to med ruby-purple colour.  Dusty, earthy warm strawberry and sour cherry aromas.  Crisp acidity, low to medium level of silky tannins, medium+ body.  Good concentration and balance. Long finish.

Three Miners Pinot Noir
Earnscleugh Valley, Alexandra, Central Otago, 13.5%
88 points
Represented by Rubicon Wines.
Pale to med ruby-purple colour.  Raspberry, warm straws, cooked beets and a touch of violets on the nose.  High level of acidity.  Elegant style.  Med body, good concentration and a low to med level of silky tannins.  Long finish.

Pisa Range Estate “Black Poplar Block” Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago
89 points
Represented by Rubicon Reserve.
Deep ruby-purple colour.  Aromas of cedar, vanilla, dark cherry and moss.  Medium-full body with a medium+ level of grainy tannins going a little firm.  Medium to high acidity.  Good concentration.  Oak still apparent.  Long finish.

Chard Farm Finla Mor Pinot Noir 2008
Parkburn, Central Otago, 13.5%
88 points
Represented by Asia Wine Connection.
Pale to med ruby-purple.  Delicate strawberry and cream aromas, cranberry and a whiff of herbs.  Elegant style, low to medium level of nice silky tannins, crisp acidity, medium+ body.  Long finish.

Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago, 14.5%
87 points
Represented by Style International Ltd. (Hong Kong).
Medium ruby-purple colour.  Oak stands out on the nose with some dark cherry fruit.  Very crisp acidity, medium-firm level of chewy tannins, concentrated but really oaky.  Full body.  Long finish.

Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago
92 points
Represented by The Cellar Door Pte Ltd. (Singapore) and Watson’s Wine Cellar (Hong Kong)
Med+ ruby-purple colour.  Wild ferment nose, dark cherry, blackberry, marmite.  Crisp, medium-high level of fine grained tannins, concentrated, medium-full body.  Long finish.  Very interesting Pinot.

Northburn Station “Bill’s Blend” Pinot Noir 2008
Lake Dunstan, Central Otago, 14%
84 points
Med-deep ruby-purple colour.  Intense vanilla, cigar boxes and mocha aromas with a touch of dark cherry.  Crisp acid, medium+ tannins, a little astringent.  Nice purity though the palate is a touch lean.  Medium-long finish.

Tarras Vineyards “The Canyon” Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago
88 points
Med ruby-purple colour.  Good intensity of pure crushed raspberry and wild strawberry aromas.  Whiff of tomato leaf.  Crisp, med body with a nice concentration of elegant fruit.  Balanced.  Long.

Olssens “Nipple Hill” Pinot Noir 2008
Bannockburn, Central Otago, 14%
85 points
Represented by Certain Cellars Pte Ltd.
Pale+ ruby-purple colour.  A little leafy on the nose with a nice undercurrent of fresh strawberries.  Whiff of rubber.  Crisp, good concentration, low – med level of silky tannins.  Medium-full body.  Long finish, a little bitter.

Felton Road Pinot Noir 2008
Bannockburn, Central Otago, 14%
90 points
Represented by The Cellar Door Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Medium-deep ruby purple colour.  A little mute, pure cherry fruit,  raspberry, black pepper and a touch of cinnamon.  Plate shows very good balance, medium to high acid, medium level of very silky tannins, medium to full body.  Long finish.

Rockburn Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago, 14.5%
87 points
Represented by JC Wine (Malaysia).
Medium+ ruby-purple colour.  Vanilla and spice nose, warm strawberries and a whiff of dried herbs.  Crisp acidity.  Low to med level of silky tannins, good concentration and a medium to full body.  Long finish.

Peregrine Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago, 14%
85 points
Represented by Pak’N Shop (Watson House, Hong Kong)
Med ruby-purple colour.  A little mute, raspberry / strawberry aromas with a floral nuance.  Crisp acidity, med level of grainy tannins, moderate flavor concentration.  Medium-long finish.

Amisfield Tasting, Gibbston, 31st July 2009
With winemaker Claire Mulholland.
Amisfield began exporting to Asia in 2007.  They are now imported by The Wine Route in Singapore and Altaya in Hong Kong.

Amisfield Arcadia Brut NV Sparkling Wine
85 points
55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, 3000 cases made, just domestic sales currently, produced since 1994.
Earthy, yeasty, marmite aromas, quite toasty with a touch of apple and walnut tart.  Rich palate, medium to high acid, nice bit of taostiness.  Medium to long finish. 

Amisfield Dry Riesling 2008
88 points
Intense, lime cordial, honeysuckle, grapefruit aromas.  Crisp, really minerally and citrusy.  Touch of honey in the long finish.  Medium body.

Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc 2008
87 points
5% Barrel fermented, 100% estate grown.
A whiff of vegetal / asparagus notes with mainly tropical, pineapple, guava and passion fruit aromas.  Crisp acidity, some oiliness, medium+ body.  Long finish.

Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc 2007
85 points
2007 was much lower crops than 2008 with more concentrated wines
Tinned peas and lemon curd aromas.  A touch of dried pineapple.  Crisp, fading a little.  Interesting still.  Long finish.

Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc 2005
81 points
Going a bit cabbagey, wilting asparagus, peas.  Crisp, though can’t quite escape the decomposing veggies.  Medium-long finish.

Amisfield Pinot Gris 2008
89 points
5 different clones.  2500 cases.  30% fermented in 600 L oak barrels.
Aromas of honeyed white peaches and pears.  Slightest touch of sweetness, medium to high acid, full body, oily / silky.  Long finish.

Amisfield Lowburn Terrace Riesling 2008
88 points
Some sweetness, 7.5% alcohol
More petrol and lanolin aromas on the nose, honey, lime cordial and lemon curd.  Crisp, fairly sweet, light body, great balance.  Long finish with some minerals.

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2008
87 points
30% new oak.  Preferment maceration.  Destemmed.  Mainly wild yeasts, inoculating only if necessary. 
Deep ruby-purple colour.  Warm strawberry aromas, raspberry, vanilla, mocha.  Medium to high acid, medium to full body, medium level of silky tannins.  Decent concentration, long finish.

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2007
89 points
Deep ruby colour.  Warm raspberry and cherry aromas.  Touch of cardamom and anise.  Med+ level of fine grained tannins, medium-high acid.  Medium-full body.  Long finish with a faint touch of dried herbs.

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2006
86 points
Medium ruby colour.  Warm cherry aromas going blackberry / blueberry.  Medium to full body, medium+ level of slightly astringent tannins.  Medium to high acidity.  Long finish.

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2005
90 points
Med-deep ruby colour with a faint orange rim.  Evolving an earthy / gamey nose over warm raspberry and dried cranberry fruit.  Medium to full body, medium to high acid, med+ level of fine tannins.  Still 4-5 years of life left.  Long finish.

Amisfield “Rocky Knoll” Pinot Noir 2006
92 points
Cropped lower than the others.  Dijon clones, 15% whole bunch, 40% new oak, longer in oak than main Pinot: 14-16 mths.  Called RKV in the USA (Rocky Knoll vineyard).  400-600 cases produced.  Started producing from 2003 (1st small, private production).  4 vintages since – not produced every year.  Not produced in 2004, 2005.  Debating if 2009 will be produced because quite a cool vintage.
Medium ruby colour.  Intense warm cherry and spice aromas, violets, little anise.  Crisp acidity, medium-full body, medium+ level of very fine tannins.  Great concentration.  Long finish.   

Felton Road, Bannockburn, 31st July 2009
With winemaker Blair Walter.
25% of Felton Road’s exports go to Asia.  Hong Kong and Japan are their largest markets, followed by Singapore.  Other Asian markets include the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand.  They are imported by The Cellar Door Pte Ltd in Singapore.

Felton Road Chardonnay 2008
88 points
1200-1500 cases per year. 
Aromas of warm apricot, melon and a touch of pineapple pastry.  Medium+ acidity, 14% alcohol - good weight.  Silky texture.  Good concentration.  Long finish.

Felton Road Chardonnay 2007
87 points
Savoury, yeasty, puffed rice and marmite aromas with a touch of baked apple and noticeable oak.  Medium to high acidity.  Full body.  Long finish with lingering oakiness.

Felton Road Chardonnay 2006
90 points
The oak is still apparent on the nose giving way to warm grapefruit and lemon curd plus a touch of pineapple.  Full body, richly fruited, silken texture.  Long finish.

Felton Road Chardonnay 2001
91 points
Evolved, nutty, oatmeal, honey-nut aromas with nuances of kaki and pineapple pastry.  Crisp acidity and great balance with the oak fully integrated.  Long finish.

Felton Road Chardonnay Block 2 2007
91 points
A little mute – aromas of oatmeal, struck match, peaches and cream.  Crisp, good concentration and balance.  Full bodied and silky.  Long finish with some minerals.  14%.

Felton Road Chardonnay “Elms” 2006
86 points
Not produced every year.  This is a kind of second label / for young vines and lesser clones in some years.  14%.  Unoaked. 
More citrusy, notes of lemon and grapefruit plus a hint of pineapple ‘n cream.  Medium to high acidity.  Moderate concentration.  Long finish.

Felton Road Pinot Noir 2007
91 points
Medium to deep ruby colour.  Aromas of warm raspberry, pepper, blackberry and cedar.  High back bone of acidity and medium++ level of finely grained tannins nicely support the generous ripe berry fruit.  Well balanced, long finish.

Felton Road Pinot Noir 2006
88 points
Medium to deep ruby colour.  Warm strawberries, cranberry, white pepper and anise aromas with a touch of cloves.  Medium to high acidity and a light to medium level of slightly chewy tannins.  Medium to full body.  Long finish.

Felton Road Pinot Noir 2005
90 points
Medium to deep ruby-brick colour.  Really peppery, evolved cherry and tobacco leaf aromas.  Notes of raspberry pie.  Medium level of silky tannins with rich, seductive fruit and a refreshingly high level of acidity.  Long spicy finish.

Felton Road Pinot Noir 2004
88 points
Deep ruby-brick colour.  The nose is a tad musky to begin giving way to appealing mature Pinot aromas: game, hung meat, moss and sweaty leather.  The acidity is crisp with a light to medium level of tannins going a little powdery.  Long finish.

Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2008
91 points
35% new oak.
Deep ruby-purp.  Earthy, forest floor, loam and bright raspberry fruit on the nose.  A faint whiff of violets.  Crisp acid, very structured with a medium+ level of very fine tannins and tightly knit fruit.  Long finish, a little minerally.

Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2008
90 points
35% new oak. 
Deep ruby-purple colour.  More intense, fruity style.  Wild strawberries and freshly crushed raspberries on the nose.  Some black pepper.  Fruitier on the palate, low to medium level of silky tannins.  Medium-high acidity.  Long finish.

Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2008
91 points
42% new oak.  Bottled slightly later than the previous 2 wines.
Deep ruby-purple colour.  Moderate intensity of elegant raspberry and cinnamon aromas.  Touch of milk chocolate and cedar.  Some cardamom.  Very fine, low to medium level of tannins.  Crisp acid.  Good concentration.  Long finish.

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2007
94 points
Deep ruby-purple colour.  Complex aromas of black pepper, cumin, warm cranberry, raspberry and dark chocolate.  Medium to high acidity and a medium+ level of very finely grained tannins.  Creamy oak – still jutting out but this wine is very young.  Great concentration and intensity.  Very long finish. 

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2006
92 points
Medium to deep ruby colour.  Complex, evolving nose with a gamey / earthy character and  aromas of dark cherry compote.  Whiff of duck breast with exotic spices.  Crisp acidity and a medium level of silky tannins.  Great concentration and balance.  Long finish.  

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2005
93
Medium to deep ruby-brick colour.  Ripe raspberry and blueberry aromas with supporting notes of bacon, cinnamon and mocha.  Medium to high acidity and a medium+ level of fine tannins.  A nice bit of chewiness in the long peppery finish.

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2004
91 points
Medium to deep garnet-brick colour.  Maturing dried fruit, leather and tobacco aromas with a core of warm cranberry.  Crisp acidity and a medium level of finely grained tannins.  Rich, full bodied style.  Long finish with lingering notes of leather and dried cranberry.

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2003
92 points
Nedium ruby-brick colour.  Evolved, toasted nut, savoury aromas with notes of marmite, smoky bacon and black pepper.  Faint whiff of dried plums.  Medium+ acidity and a medium level of velvety tannins.  This one has a few years to go yet.  Long finish.

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2002
93 points
Deep ruby-brick colour.  A little closed at this time with subtle aromas of warm cherry, cinnamon, anise, hung meat and cloves.  The palate provides a structure of high acidity and a light to medium level of finely grained tannins.  Good concentration and balance.  Long finish. 

Felton Road Riesling 2008
90 points
9.5%, 55 g/l residual sugar, grown on schist gravel soils. 
Seriously intense nose of lime cordial, lemon curd, warm grapefruit and a little honeysuckle.  Crisp acidity with a touch of sweetness contributing to the honeyed character on the palate.  Light body.  Long finish.

Felton Road Riesling Block 1 2008
91 points
9.5%.  67 g/l of residul sugar, grown on a steep north-facing slope. 
Aromas are relatively delicate:  lime leaf, lemongrass and jasmine.  Quite sweet, crisp acid backbone, great balance and tons of minerals.  Long finish.

Prophet’s Rock, Bendigo, 1st August 2009
With Paul Pujol (winemaker) and Mike Mulvey (owner)
Prophet’s Rock’s wines are imported by The Wine Guru in Singapore.

Prophet’s Rock Dry Riesling 2007
90 points
Prophet’s Rock has only 1 ha Riesling cropped at under 2 tons per acre.  They’re looking to achieve a very clean, pure juice using slow pressing / whole bunch, very little phenolics.  Wild yeast ferment.  Matured on lees.  11.5%.  Mainly fermented in old oak. 
Acacia honey, jasmine, musk melon and warm lemon tart aromas.  Dry style with crisp acidity and good concentration.  Nice texture.  Quite steely with some minerals.  Long finish.

Prophet’s Rock Dry Riesling 2008
88 points
Aromas of lime cordial, lemongrass, a little floral and a touch of flint / slate.  A dry, steely style with moderate concentration and medium to high acidity.  Long finish with notes of white pepper.

Prophet’s Rock Pinot Gris 2007
89 points
13%.  14 g/l residual sugar.  Fermented with wild yeast and matured on its lees. 
The nose is very fragrant – floral and spicy.  Aromas of honeysuckle, warm pears, apricots and apple tart.  Touch of sweetness on the plate with good concentration and an oily texture.  Medium+ acidity.  Long finish.

Prophet’s Rock Pinot Gris 2008
88 points
Pears, peaches and golden delicious apples on the nose.  Medium to high acid and nice stone fruit and apple flavor concentration on the palate.  Long finish.

Rocky Point Pinot Noir 2007
86 points
This is Prophet’s Rock’s second label of Pinot Noir.
Wild ferment and wild MLF.  10-11 month in barrel.  About 20%+ or new oak.  Pale to med ruby.  Warm strawberry, cherry, vanilla.  Medium to high acid.  Low to med level of soft tannins.  Mod concentration.  Med-long.  B6

Prophet’s Rock Pinot Noir 2007
92 points
100% Bendigo Vineyard.  3 tons / ha or 22 hl/ha.  1000 cases produced.  16 months in barrel without racking, 35% new oak.  Unfiltered, unfined.  To be released in early 2010.
Medium to deep ruby.  Perfumed nose of violets, cinnamon, vanilla / cedar and crushed raspberries.  Crisp acidity, concentrated flavours, medium+ level of very fine tannins.  Great concentration and balance.  Long finish.

Mt Difficulty, Bannockburn, 1st August 2009
With marketing manager Michael Herrick
Mt Difficulty is imported in Japan by Jeroboam Co. Ltd., in Hong Kong by Montrose Food & Wines and is available in Singapore through Inland Trading.

Mt Difficulty Pinot Gris 2008
88 points
14%, 4 g/l residual sugar.
Spicy aromas with supporting notes of warm peach, nashi and poached pears.  The palate is dry with medium+ acidity, a medium to full body and a pleasant oily texture.  Long, spicy finish.

Roaring Meg Pinot Gris 2008
85 points
14%.  10 g/l residual sugar.
A forward style - intense, tropical nose of pineapple and green mango.   Crisp acidity, rich, a big and weighty effort.  Long finish.

Mt Difficulty Riesling Medium 2008
91 points
11%, 40 g/l residual sugar.
Seriously intense aromas of lime cordial, lemongrass, wet pebbles and warm grapefruit with attractive floral nuances of jasmine.  Crisp acidity, very minerally, great balance and intensity.  Long, steely finish.
 
Roaring Meg Riesling 2008
87 points
10 g/l residual sugar.
Aromas of lime leaf, lemon and grapefruit.  Crisp, honeyed flavours.  Nice concentration and balance.  Long finish.

Mt Difficulty Chardonnay 2007
91 points
Fermented with wild yeast, high solids, 100% French oak barrique fermented - 20% new.  50% MLF for this vintage.  Battonage.
Enticing aromas of oatmeal, tropical fruits, butterscotch, pineapple pastry.  The full bodied is well balanced with a high backbone of acidity.  Silky texture, concentrated flavours, long finish.

Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2008
85 points
Pale ruby purple colour.  Warm strawberry, loam, white pepper and a notable touch of cedar on the nose.  The palate provides decent concentration with crisp acidity and a low level of soft tannins.  Medium to full body.  Long finish.

Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir 2007
91 points
Comes from 7 vineyards, all vinified separately and blended.   Cropped at 2 tons per acre.  Medium ruby purple colour.  A little mute revealing subtle aromas of crushed straws and raspberries plus hints of cedar and black pepper.  Crisp, refreshing acidity.  Elegant style.  Medium level of fine grained tannins.  Good concentration, great balance.  Long finish.

Mt Difficulty Pipeclay Terrace Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007
93 points
Usually cropped at less than 1 ton per acre.  Only 350-400 cases are produced – the single vineyards are not made every year, only when that vineyard makes an extraordinary wine.  Unfined / unfiltered.
Med+ ruby- purple colour.  Intense cherry, loam, earthy and moss aromas.  Concentrated, rich fruit on the palate enlivened by medium to high acid.  Medium to firm level of fine tannins.  Long finish.

Mt Difficulty Long Gully Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007
94 points
Usually cropped at less than 1 ton per acre.  Only 350-400 cases are produced – the single vineyards are not made every year, only when that vineyard makes an extraordinary wine.  Unfined / unfiltered.
Medium+ ruby-purple colour.  Delicate floral aromas, red cherry and warm raspberry, white pepper and cinnamon.  Crisp, tightly knit, medium+ level of fine grained tannins.  Concentrated flavours yet elegant styling.  Long finish with a bit of spice.

Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir 2008
90 points
Medium ruby-purple colour.  White pepper, crushed cranberry and red cherry nose with a touch of cedar.  High level of acidity and a medium level of fine tannins plenty of red berry fruit to flesh it out.  Long finish.

Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir 2005
90 points
(Sampled from a half bottle.)  Pale ruby / brick colour.  Evolving meaty / gamey aromas with remnants of dried cranberry and kirsch.  Medium-high acid.  Medium level of fine tannins.  Long finish.

Mount Edward, Gibbston
With Duncan Forsyth, owner / winemaker
Mount Edward is exported to 13 markets around the world.  Japan is the largest market in Asia and is about 6th or 7th overall.  In Japan Mount Edwards is imported by Vortex.  Other Asian markets / importers:  Hong Kong (Platinum Wine), South Korea (Bitis), Philippines (Zen Asia) and Singapore (Wine Exchange Asia).

Mount Edward Riesling 2007
88 points
12.5%, “Medium-dry style”.  15 g/l residual sugar. 
Moderate intensity of lime and chalk aromas with some grapefruit essence and a touch of petrol.  Just a little sweetness detectable on the palate though it generally appears dry and crisp with a light to medium body.  Long, chalky finish.

Mount Edward Riesling 2008
86 points
Bottled but not released yet.
Aromas more of apples and nectarines plus a bit of spice.  Medium to high acidity, spicy on the palate with a rather uncharacteristic oily texture – in some ways more like a Pinot Gris.  Slightly lower/softer acidity.  Long finish.

Mount Edward Pinot Blanc 2008
87 points
Mount Edward is one of only 6 wineries that produce Pinot Blanc in NZ!  “We wanted to do different varieties and this was more interesting from a winemaking and consumers point of view.” – Duncan Forsyth
Delicate, fairly neutral, apply nose with subtle hints of white pepper and crushed rock.  Medium-high acidity and a medium+ body with a pleasant silky texture.  Just a touch of sweetness (10 g / L).  Long, minerally finish.

Mount Edward “The Drumlin” Riesling 2006
92 points
This is a small single vineyard producing just 60-70 cases.  Glacial based, gravelly schist soils.  This wine is not made every year.
Lovely petrol, slate and lanolin character over lemon curd, key lime and honeysuckle aromas.  Crisp, medium-sweet style.  Light body with 9.5% alcohol.  39 g/l residual sugar.  Tons of concentration – really zesty.  Some marmalade starting to come through after a few minutes.  Very long finish.

Mount Edward “The Drumlin” Riesling 2009
(92-94) points
Tank sample.  49 g/l residual sugar.  Intense lemon / lime aromas.  Significantly sweeter than the previous vintage with even better acid and more concentration.  Very, very long finish.

Mount Edward Pinot Noir 2007
91 points
Medium ruby – purple colour.  A little reduced to begin on the nose giving way to intense aromas of cherry, warm cranberry, a touch of cedar and forest floor.  A little hung meat / smokiness kicks in after a few moments.  Medium+ body, med-high acidity.  Med level of very fine tannins.  Long finish.

Mount Edward Pinot Noir “Morrison Vineyard” 2007
91 points
From the Lowburn region of the Cromwell Basin.  Only 48 cases produced.
Medium+ ruby-purple colour.  Slightly mute raspberry and violet aromas, some cinnamon and pepper and a faint whiff of mint.  Medium+ acid and a med level of fine tannins.  Concentrated warm red berry fruit.  Some oak apparent.  Long spicy finish.

Mount Edward Pinot Noir 2008
89 points
Pale to med ruby-purp.  A little reduced and mute, dark cherry and raspberry with a touch of rubber.  Crisp acidity, medium+ body.  Medium level of slightly firmer, grainy tannins.  Good concentration.  Long finish.

Mount Edward “Morrison Vineyard” Pinot Noir 2008
92 points
80 cases produced. 
Med+ ruby-purple colour.  Blackberry, plums, cardamom and anise on the nose plus a whiff of cedar.  Medium-high acid, med to full body, med+ level fine tannins.  Concentrated.  Spicy.  Long finish.

Mount Edward “Muirkirk” Pinot Noir 2008
90 points
70 cases produced.
Medium to deep garnet purple colour.   Dark cherry and raspberry aromas with significant oak.  Crisp backbone of acidity with a medium+ level of very fine tannins.  Concentrated – lots of cherry fruit.  Oak apparent.  Long finish.

Lindis River, Bendigo, 14th October 2009
Tasted in Singapore with Holger Reinecke (owner / winemaker)
Lindis River is represented in Singapore by Artisan Cellars.

Lindis River Pinot Noir 2006
90 points
Medium+ ruby-garnet colour.  Lovely ripe cherry and black pepper aromas with a waft of chocolate milk.  Rich, full body and quite concentrated with medium to high acidity and a medium++ level of very fine tannins.  Long, chocolate-covered-cherry finish.

Lindis River Pinot Noir 2007
91 points
Because of wind and rain at flowering, yields were reduced in 2007 to half their normal crop.  Only 380 cases produced.
Medium ruby-garnet colour.  Warm cranberry, passion fruit and beetroot on the nose with plenty of spice:  cinnamon, cardamom and a touch of truffle.  The medium to full bodied palate is concentrated with complex, juicy fruits and medium to high acidity.  Medium level of silky tannins and a long finish.

Lindis River One-by-One Pinot Noir 2006
91 points
One-by-One refers to the planting density of this tiny (less than a hectare), closely planted vineyard with vines planted at 1 metre by 1 metre apart, as is done in many of the greatest estates of Burgundy.
Medium to deep ruby colour.  Earthy aromas of forest floor and loam with an appealing floral perfume over the core of cherry fruit.  Great concentration with medium to high acidity and a medium+ level of fine tannins.  Long savoury finish.