James Suckling – Firm and tight licorice, graphite, slate and light dried strawberry. Goes to iron. Flowers. Medium body. Creamy and fine tannins with a rather dusty finish. Fresh acidity and long and linear finish. Structured. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better after 2024, but already beautiful. - 98 Points, James Suckling
The Wine Front – Biodynamic farming, lees maturation, attention to detail, great vineyard sites. Rudi Bauer of Quartz Reef has many positives in the manifestation of his life work. Beyond that, and so often it’s hard to separate the person who makes the wine from the wine itself, he’s an outstanding human. And hilarious. That being said, it means little when wines are in brown paper bags being tasted. This wine leapt from the pack.
Incredible intensity, inward concentration, a knife edge of acidity in finely wrapped layers of toastiness, marzipan, brioche with a sleek, lean profile of green apple and citrus. Fine, fine bubbles add dimension and freshness. Aside its precision, it’s gorgeous to drink, refreshing the palate with each sip, leaving lingering detail of the presence of the wine. Insanely good drinking. It’s fine wine personified. Kudos here.
Wine Enthusiast – Richly fruited and engaging, the wine shows dark cherry,
smoked game, clove, cedar and floral aromas, followed by a
sumptuous palate that’s both powerful and refined. Superbly
structured by layers of fine tannins and silky texture, finishing
impressively long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2036. (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit)
Huon Hooke – "Dense and quite concentrated chardonnay with grapefruit, oyster shell, hazelnut, bran biscuit, vanilla and spicy oak flavours. Seamless, integrated wine that is more vinous than fruity with an appealing savoury edge." 96 Points – Bob Campbell, Real Review
Wine Enthusiast – This is gracefully opulent and sophisticated with Black
Doris plum, dark cherry, dried herb, toasted almond and
subtle savoury notes on the nose. The palate is robust and
substantial, while remaining gorgeously harmonious and
elegant. Silky and plush within a sturdy frame, promising to
evolve magnificently. At its best: now to 2038. (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit)
James Suckling – This has an intense, complex nose of charred bark, dark cherries, black raspberries, cumin, spice box, iodine and slate. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a firm, sleek tannin structure providing plenty of support to the dark fruit. Tight and mineral at the end. Better after 2023. 95 Points – James Suckling
Central Otago, nestled in the southern part of New Zealand's South Island, is the world's southernmost wine-producing region. Its dramatic landscape, characterized by deep river gorges and rugged mountain ranges, provides a stunning backdrop for its vineyards. The region enjoys a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters, leading to a longer ripening period for grapes. This unique climate, combined with the mineral-rich soil, gives Central Otago wines a distinctive character and depth. Particularly known for its outstanding Pinot Noirs, the region also produces remarkable white varieties like Chardonnay and Riesling. Each wine tells a story of its origin, capturing the essence of its environment, making every sip a memorable experience. The wines from Central Otago are not just beverages; they are a journey into the heart of New Zealand's majestic landscapes.
Central Otago is a picturesque wine-producing region situated in the southern part of New Zealand's South Island. Encircled by majestic mountains, serene lakes, and deep river gorges, this region is not only a paradise for viticulturists but also a haven for tourists and nature enthusiasts. Easily accessible from major cities like Dunedin and Queenstown, Central Otago offers a unique wine trail experience, blending the best of nature's beauty with world-class viticulture.
Absolutely! Central Otago wines, while often considered premium, offer incredible value for their price. The region's unique climate, characterized by hot summers and cold winters, results in wines that are rich in flavor, texture, and aroma. Whether you're looking for a vibrant Pinot Noir or a refreshing Riesling, Central Otago wines consistently rank high on quality charts. While some boutique labels can be pricier, there's a wide selection that caters to varied budgets without compromising on excellence.
Central Otago stands out due to its distinctive continental climate and breathtaking landscape. The region's location, being the world's southernmost wine-producing area, combined with its unique topography, results in a longer grape ripening period. This allows for the development of deep flavors and complex bouquets in the wines. Moreover, the schist-based soils add a signature minerality, further enhancing the character of Central Otago wines.
Central Otago is globally renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir. The region's terroir, with its cool nights and warm days, creates the perfect environment for this variety to thrive. The resulting wines are characterized by their deep ruby color, notes of dark berries, and underlying earthy tones. These Pinot Noirs, often described as elegant yet powerful, have garnered international acclaim, solidifying Central Otago's reputation as a leading Pinot Noir producer.
While Central Otago's Pinot Noir is the star, the region also produces other outstanding wines. Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc from this area have received praise for their freshness and complexity. Some iconic wineries include Rippon, Mount Difficulty, and Felton Road, each offering a unique expression of Central Otago's terroir. Whether it's a single vineyard Pinot Noir or a crisp Chardonnay, wines from Central Otago consistently impress with their quality and depth of flavor.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.