Layered and restrained aromas of red apple, yellow plum, sourdough and seashell unfold from this taut and energetic wine with very fine, persistent effervescence. The palate is long and controlled, driven by salivating acidity, saline minerality and sweet herbal nuances before tightening up to the just off-dry finish of lingering, crisp fruit. Lovely fruit concentration here, with steely elegance to offset. A sophisticated sparkling wine. 01/2024 disgorgement. Points: 93/100
76% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay. Based on 2020 plus 15–18% reserve wines. Disgorged August 2022. RS 4 g/l. 5,200 dozen production. Clones came from Cloudy Bay. Very pale salmon pink! Clean, round and fruity. Bone dry. Very fine. Lots of flavour considering the short tirage. Rudi thinks this is because of the low yield. Clean and long. Great balance. 16.5
A fresh, pink-berry nose with honey and light pastry aromas on offer. The palate has a bright, ripe red-berry core with a fleshy texture. Soft, bright and fresh. Dry finish. Drink now. Points: 92/100
A blend of pinot noir (74%) and chardonnay. Rich, creamy méthode with a pleasing bone-dry finish. The wine has a good balance between fresh fruit and nutty yeast autolysis. Points: 93/100
A fresh, pink-berry nose with honey and light pastry aromas on offer. The palate has a bright, ripe red-berry core with a fleshy texture. Soft, bright and fresh. Dry finish. Drink now. Points: 92/100
A blend of organic/biodynamic pinot noir and chardonnay grown on a steeply sloping Bendigo vineyard. A quite rich and textural sparkler, with toasty yeast autolysis, oyster shell and tangy citrus flavours. The wine has an ethereal texture and a pleasantly dry finish. Points: 94/100
Palate strength and definition are the highlights of this red-grape-dominant (72 per cent pinot noir, 28 per cent chardonnay) Champagne-method bubbly. It’s very much in the stonefruit flavour quarter, though age-derived breadiness and yeastiness also play their roles. Serve as an aperitif or with simple seafoods such as freshly shucked oysters.
Winemaker Rudi Bauer exceeds expectations with his outstanding sparkling wines, which make up 40 percent of his wine production in Central Otago. This makes him stand out in more ways than one: quality is at an all-time high and it's unusual for an Otago winery to focus so strongly on wines other than Pinot Noir, although it is the toasty richness of the gently pressed Pinot grape that gives this sparkling wine its exceptionally consistent delicious edge. Full-bodied, long, powerful and elegant all at once. A stellar bubbly from a great winemaker. 18.5/20.
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