Outstanding - 95 Points, Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
Why we should age premium Pinot Noir in New Zealand is exemplified with this Artist Series release Pinot Noir. Aromas of fresh and aged cherry fruits, sweet and preserved plums, complexities from bottle age and fragrances of earth, stones, roses and barrel spices. Taut and dry on the palate with salivating tannins and acidity then flavours of red berries and plums, savoury dried herbs and barrel spice qualities. Complex, lengthy, perfectly weighted and ready to drink from 2023 through 2030+.
La Lapine has a captivating bouquet of complexity and bottle-development, ripe citrus and tropical fruits, a lees and mineral core. Fragrant with fresh herbs and fruit spice, some mineral and ferment complexities. A satin texture touches the palate first then acidity drives through flavours of lemon peel and apple, pineapple and fresh herbs. The lees and ferment characters layer in complexity and spice, length and breadth. A delicious wine with texture, mouthfeel and flavour, varietal qualities with an herbaceous layer and tropical fruit frame. Best drinking from 2023 through 2027.
From the Winemaker, John Belsham
The 2014 vintage offered me the opportunity to create a wine that expresses my love of architecture and design. It was a warm, very even growing season yielding grapes with an intensity of flavour and structure; a benefit of both the vintage and the increasing vine age.
Both wines can be enjoyed now, or further cellar-aged if one prefers.
