We don’t have that history in New Zealand but there are clearly many wines from a single site or vineyard that proudly denote their place of origin.
Six stunning wines today: three each from two different producers from single sites in Earnsleugh, Gibbston, Bannockburn and Lowburn.
Perhaps the most profound contrast was the Sabines Selection by Burn Cottage off a section of clay soils in their vineyard, yet so different from its stablemate.
Sourcing these may be easiest direct from the vineyards, though a handful of specialty retailers may be able to source them.
2022 Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve The Last Chance Earnscleugh Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Dusty, spicy,
savoury qualities,
red fruits, pencil
lead, a swelling,
beguiling perfume, a
wisp of gunflint and
bramble later. Fine
in the mouth with
tannic structure to
burn, a marriage of
ripe red fruits and
earthy qualities on a
savoury backdrop,
elegant and nicely
composed with a
long, long dry close.
Lovely persistence
and a little intrigue
to keep you coming
back for more.
2022 Burn Cottage Burn Cottage Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
A beautifully
perfumed top note,
almost musky, almost
fruit sherbet, wisps of
wild herb and earth,
complex and
engaging. Depth
without weight, super
fine tannins, growing
and swelling,
revealing its youthfully
sweet fruit. An earthy/
mushroomy aspect to
the nose now,
cranberry, freshness
and juiciness, the
flavours hanging in
the mouth. A wine to
ponder.
2022 Burn Cottage Sabines Selection Lowburn Pinot Noir
Rating Outstanding
Smoke, bonfire
embers, wild herb,
wild rose florals,
cherry and red
berryfruits, totally
beguiling, cigar box/
tobacco later. A step
up in power and
depth, yet not at all
overstated, silky,
taffeta texture,
cranberry, red fruits,
spicy qualities
lingering through to
the close. Elegance
and depth, great
structure, a stony
nuance appears,
cardamom. A peacock’s tail of flavour
on the finish. Superb.
2021 Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve The Last Chance Earnscleugh Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Fascinating nose,
initially char, smoke
and humus, moving to
flower petal florals,
perfume and umami
notes, lots going on.
The savoury qualities a
core to the palate,
brooding depth, earth,
pencil shavings, a
touch of wildness and
intrigue with chewy
grip that leaves you
salivating. Wonderful
flavour persistence,
balance and
integration, draws you
back for another glass.
2022 Burn Cottage Sauvage Vineyard Bannockburn Pinot Noir
Rating Outstanding
Dark fruited richness
on the nose, melded
with spices, earth,
humus and savoury
nuances, growing
florality with air. Fine
silky palate envelops
the mouth, the spice
and savoury
elements a backdrop
to the lovely depth of
plummy fruit.
Vibrancy and
energy, fine, chewy
grip reminds you of
its presence and the
potential of the wine,
yet this is already so
appealing in its
youth.
2022 Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve The First Paddock Gibbston Pinot Noir
Rating Outstanding
Brooding, dark, savoury,
slate/stony minerality, a
sense of power, the fruit
supporting the whole.
Powerful in the mouth,
chewy, almost grainy
tannins, ripe fruit yet
quite dry. Thrilling
intensity and depth that
speaks of the future, or
calls for food now.
Serious intent,
complexity, great lip-
smacking sapidity
(savoury/saline), super-
long finish. Utterly
fascinating and
compelling wine.
