My tasting buddy is an avid fan of the Alexandra wineries, having tasted extensively there, but sadly with many being small concerns they are little seen in Dunedin.
You really need to go there, and look forward to the annual Alexandra Basin Winegrowers New Release Tasting coming up at Labour Weekend.
2022 Monte Christo Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Florality, wisps of
gunflint, a suggestion of
savoury qualities, the
fruit playing the
supporting role, a
caramel note later. The
palate initially shows its
fruit-forward qualities,
fruit sweetness, a sense
of florality again, a lifted
quality, as it fleshes out
with air tangy aspects
lending to a drier finish.
Have a nagging
suspicion I’m
underscoring this,
perhaps a bit shy today?
2022 Carrick Unravelled Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Dustiness, savoury
aspects, woodsmoke,
red fruits beginning to
pop their heads up, a
woodsy/brambly
influence later. Quite a
youthful palate, chewy
tannins make their
presence felt with a
graphite note framing the
close. The elements are
here but feel like they are
still integrating. With air,
the fruit weight and
depth reveals itself,
adding real tanginess to
the finish.
2022 Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Lovely, expressive nose,
red fruits, cranberry, a
little blueberry too,
florality growing with air,
smoke, vibrant.
Mouthfilling, rich, almost
creamy, generosity of
flavour with savoury
nuances beginning to
appear. With time it
grows in the
glass, the delightful
mouthfeel enlivened by
chewy tannins. It feels
effortless, it knows what
it is doing.
2022 Monte Christo Bannockburn Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Lovely nose, an amalgam of fruit and
fragrance, herb and savoury
nuances, no doubting the
grape variety, a little funky
wildness later. A fascinating
interplay on the palate
between sweet fruit,
pronounced tanginess and
savoury/umami notes on
a medium-weight frame.
Elegant rather than a fruit
bomb, retaining that
zesty, tangy aspect
through to the finish.
2022 Loop Rd by Quartz Reef Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Savoury/umami notes
leap from the glass,
earthy undercurrents,
red fruits, cherry.
Powerfully expressed
fruit, juicy and engaging.
The earthy and savoury
notes meet a touch of
herb on the long close, a
good lick of acidity
keeping this fresh.
Lovely balance. With air
the boldness eases
back, moves to a deeper
register, maintaining that
lip-smacking quality.
2022 Central by Monte Christo Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Oak spices and perfume
start the ball rolling, shifting
to rose petal florality, some
savoury notes, fruit in
support. A medium-weight
style, red fruited, a grainy
feel to the tannins and a
fresh, bittersweet quality.
Initially shows its
youthful side, but grows
nicely with air, adding
earth and herb nuances
and swelling fruit, the
nose becoming quite
beguiling.
