2020 Chard Farm The Tiger Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Deep-ish red with a strong purple tint, the bouquet is of bold fruit—black-cherry and subtle dried-herb notes, the palate full and intense, well concentrated and ample, with abundant savoury, powdery, drying tannins. Tremendous depth of fruit flavour encased in a beautifully managed structure of tannins that pack some grip and will ensure a long life. The finish is harmonious and persistent. 13 DEC 2022 Drink 2022–2032

95 points Huon Hooketherealreview.com

The Tiger Pinot Noir is a single vineyard bottling made from grapes grown in the Tiger vineyard in the Lowburn sub-region. The vineyard is on sloping land up off the valley floor and this elevated cooler position allows the vineyard to ripen slowly, building layer upon layer of flavour nuance and soft silky tannins. The wines from this vineyard typically display spicy aromatic red berry fruits and violets. The palate is characterised by a broad structure and layers of fine integrated tannin and fruit which is more textural than structural. The Tiger is always quite shy and reticent in its youth and after 4-5 years in bottle it really blossoms and expresses itself.

The bouquet is initially dominated by an aromatic spiciness, before red fruits and underlying savory and herbal notes develop a pleasing complexity. A very fine and textured mouthfeel, with a core of savory flavours driving through the palate, ending in a burst of sweet red berry fruit and delicate spices on a long and velvety finish.