The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa is the country’s newest and only national wine show taking the place of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, Romeo Bragato Wine Awards and Royal Easter Wine Awards. The Maude Reserve East Block Riesling won the Heritage Rose Bowl Trophy; this category introduced to "identify and reward wines that have evidenced a capacity to develop grace and complexity over time" with the recipient recognised for showing excellence for the same wine for more than a decade. Adding to the Central tally was the 2019 Providore Pinot Noir, which secured the Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir. Burn Cottage Hits 20 Yet another Central winery has hit the ripe old age of 20 with Burn Cottage reaching that milestone this year, celebrating planting their vineyard in Lowburn. They celebrated with a lunch, and dinner for their mailing list members. New Kiwi Wine Classification Bob Campbell MW and The Real Review have unveiled a new NZ wine classification. To qualify, wines must have a 10-year track record of reviews, with an ascending scale of 1, 2 or 3 Merits. The classification is designed to be fluid: individual wines may rise or fall according to their performance while newer wines reaching 10 vintages may also be included. Across NZ, 25 wines made the top 3 Merits classification including six from Central Otago. Burn Cottage BCV Pinot Noir, Felton Road Blocks 3, 5 & Cornish Point Pinot Noirs along with their Block 1 Riesling and Block 2 Chardonnay. Peter Munslow – RIP Dunedin lost a wine identity with the sudden passing of Peter Munslow in November. Wine retailer, senior wine judge, keen wine options competitor, advocate for Central Otago wine and lover of flavour in both wine and food, Pete had a significant influence on Dunedin wine enthusiasts through his years at both The Robbie Burns and Munslow’s Fine Wines. Pete has been my boss, colleague, mentor and friend: I’ll sorely miss his insight and infectious laugh. 2022 Misha’s Vineyard The Soloist Pinot Noir Rose Price RRP $30 Rating Excellent Mid rose. Attractive florality, white flowers, roses, apple, spice, strawberry with aeration. Excellent flavour intensity, ripely fruited yet not sweet adding peach to the strawberry notes. Supple, rounded mouthfeel, flowing quietly along the palate, a minerally/ schisty influence adding to the interest. Aeration brings a deeper register into play; rather nice. www.mishasvineyard.com 2022 Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir Rose Price RRP $28 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Pale rose. Stonefruits, florality, red apple, subtlety yet elegance. The texture is a treat, richly creamy yet again there’s delicacy and elegance. Wonderful balance, nicely filling the palate, spice and apple with an almost peppery touch adding zest to the finish. Opens up on the nose and palate as it takes on some air. Drinking superbly. www.penkridgefarm.co.nz 2022 Carrick Organic Bannockburn Pinot Noir Rose Price RRP $28 Rating Very Good to Excellent Orangey onion skin. Berryfruits, redcurrants, savoury influences, a wisp of oyster shell. A rush of salinity on the palate flows to a deeper, more savoury character. Crunchy and juicy, there’s a grainy aspect to the texture too, with a hint of hard candy bringing a lick of sweetness to contrast the savoury tones. Fascinating, and different expression that grows in the glass. www.carrick.co.nz
