Bob McDonald

9.3

Unmistakably Central Otago to my palate. Red plums and raspberries. 20% of the grapes were whole bunch. Also aged in 27% new oak. I must mention Neil Martin’s famous Quote, “ Whenever there is a tasting designed to challenge the supremacy of Burgundy, it is usually Felton Road that is ushered into the ring”. Very much on allocation these days and can be difficult to source. — 24 days ago

Big Wave Dave

9.4

The star of the show - against a 30yo Bannockburn and a 13yo Clos des Papes. Meaty, savoury and with tannins imperceptible but just hanging in there. Power without weight. A classy old gent. — 3 years ago

Naboth van den Broek

8.9

Beautiful label and beautiful part of the world — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Very pale lemon. Soft citrus notes with a hint of ginger - also mineral. On the palate lemon citrus and touch of mandarin as well as a small amount of residual sweetness but definitely dry at 11.5% ABV. Central Otago known for its fleshy Pinot Noir but the Riesling and Chardonnay are very good as well. Tried another bottle 102 weeks later on 9th February 2022 with consistent notes - chalky, tart with citric acid. Not bad - needs more volume. Will probably fill out with more time in the cellar. Tasted another bottle on 1st August 2022. Interesting to see how this wine is maturing. Developing some paraffin/kerosene notes but not unpleasant. A trace of residual sweetness amongst the mellowing citrus notes. Riesling like Chardonnay are largely under rated in New Zealand compared to the Savalanche!! — 6 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.2

Cruising Central Otago in search of the perfect Pinot. Learning a lot. Today we were in the Bannockburn region. Forward vibrant red fruit. The standard Pinots estate blends we found somewhat single note with a fairly strong green edge for most wineries. Had to get to the slightly more aged, single blocks to pick up better balance and complexity. This one was like that. We met with Sara, the proprietor. Couldn’t find a better host. What a fun person, very passionate about what she is doing. A warm person in a cold climate 😊. — 7 years ago

with Tammy

Aaron Tan

9.2

2015 Irrewarra Pinot Noir by Farr. Excellent depth and length, as expected from the Farrs. Juicy sweet red fruits, oak spices, earth, all underlined by a distinct mineral finish. So much potential and great value at $59.

Note: The Farrs' experimental label, almost. Made from a leased vineyard in the namesake town (from the famed bakers of the area). The fruits use to go into the Farr Rising label, before it was deemed single vineyard-worthy in 2012. Distinctly different from the Farrs' homesite in the Bannockburn area - more inland, wetter. 6 acres PN, 2 acres Chard. For the 2015 PN - all MV6, no whole bunch, 30% new oak. — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

I visited this winery many years ago when it was known as Ollsens, and had a tasting. Next door to Felton Road Winery naturally in Felton Road, Central Otago. A rich, plush delicious Pinot Noir. I used to buy the Ollsens Slapjack back in the day and have always enjoyed it. Red and black fruits of raspberry and black cherry with a herbal heather like overlay like garrigue in the Southern Rhone. Impossible not to engage with this wine. Thanks Mick - I might have to repurchase this one. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

White florals, citrus notes verging on white peach. These same notes extend through to the palate with Medium minus acid finishing with a saline note. Very moreish. There should be a bigger fuss made on the excellence of New Zealand Chardonnay which can be world class. Just the right amount of acid for short term cellaring. Thoroughly delicious. Had another bottle 93 weeks later on 3rd January 2025 with consistent notes. Just an excellent new world Chardonnay. Have the last one at the end of 2025 or early 2026. We ended up having the last bottle on 21st June 2025. Just an outstanding new world Chardonnay / ticks all the boxes. — 3 years ago

Amber Drummond

9.1

Italian style wine. Full body. Heavy, lots of depth. Delicious and not ur usual pinot — 5 years ago

Shun Kikuchi

9.0

Elegant. mid intensity of ruby, not so translucent. Dark cherry, dark plum, liquorice and touch of oak. Dry, mid balanced acidity, mid tannin that is slightly astringent but good thickness it generates. Though relatively high ABV well balanced Central Otago PN. It can evolve more but also enjoyable now. ABV14.0% — 6 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

The second bottle from NZ trip. Singing. Big nose. Sandalwood with spice and dark fruit on the nose. Sweet, fruit forward, and very typical Gibbston flavour profile. Still lots of fine tannin left but fruit has fully evolved. Hot vintage? . Excellent. , — 7 years ago

with Rocket

madame_toastte

8.9

Spicy dark cherry, plum fruit with notes of wet leaves, tobacco, earthiness, vanilla hint and long finish. A lot going on but a pleasure and party in the mouth. — 8 years ago

Martin Mills

9.2

An excellent wine from what I'm told was a difficult vintage. Aromas burst from the glass -lovely honeyed red fruit and refined touch of oak. Classic Pinot colour, uniform, still youthful. Ripe fruit and tangy acidity on the palate, teeth coating sugars of cherry strawberry into cassis. Very yummy. Sourced at Avenue and Lawrence lcbo for $46 — 9 years ago

Ben Abrew

9.2

Tonka first of 2025 🙏🏼❤️ — a year ago

Aravind A

9.4

This is a spitting image of Molitor Brauneberger Mandelgraben Spatburg. Wow. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Mount Edward is in the prestigious address of Felton Road Bannockburn although the grapes for this wine also come from other sub districts. This has a lovely Central Otago perfume showing dark cherry, raspberry, white pepper, thyme and red florals. A lovely nose. The palate doesn’t quite deliver following the nose. Very good for a 2nd wine just without the concentration on the palate. Given to me as a gift from a mate whose name is Ted. Wonderful graphics on the label I thought. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Earthy aromas with ripe plum notes - a very Otago nose albeit in the lighter spectrum. Same notes transfer to the medium bodied sappy palate. Not as full bodied as I was expecting. Quite Burgundian in weight and texture. Made by the equally earthy Nick Mills, owner and winemaker who made his presentation at Pinot NZ 2018 in Wellington in bare feet. Rippon is biodynamic and chemical free. I subsequently had a nice chat with him - a genuine bloke. Must be one of the prettiest vineyard scenes anywhere in the world sloping up from Lake Wanaka. Whilst this is classed as Central Otago this is not as full bodied as the Bannockburn/Felton Road district. — 6 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.3

Bursting of flavor. Dark, dried cherry and fig drenched in earthy tannins with soothing minerally finish. — 7 years ago

with RoAnne, Sander and 2 others

Matt Nason

9.1

White peaches, slightly waxy, hint of herbaceous quality but overall a cool NZ Pinot Gris. — 8 years ago

Heidi Ingelfinger

9.5

What a beauty! Not a shrinking violet. Starts with subtle flavors of cherry, spice, and a touch of funk , but as it opens up., Cola, sarsaprallia, dr. Pepper, smores and comes with a nice balance in acid. Fruit driven initially with texture elevating as it opens. Well done! — 9 years ago

with JP