2020 High Garden Pinot Noir, Gibbston Valley

First release of an exciting new label from grapes grown in the highest vineyard in Gibbston. According to founder and winemaker Robin Tedder MW, it is one of the warmest sites in the coolest subregion of Central Otago. It is a supremely elegant pinot noir with bright cherry, red berry flavours underpinned by subtle fresh herb characters. Only 2, 364 bottles produced in the inaugural vintage. 28 JUN 2021 Drink 2021–2033

95 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com

 Beautiful intense black cherry , strawberry, dried roses, chinotto aromas and underlying roasted chestnut, herb garden notes. Round & supple with abundant black cherry, strawberry, apricot fruits, fine persistent chalky/lacy textures, superb mid palate viscosity and perfectly integrated roasted chestnut vanilla oak. A Brilliant debut wine with lovely complexity, volume and mineral length.

97 points Andrew Caillard MW

Powerful sweet dark cherry fruit with prominent young oak is lifted by savoury mushroom consommé, & truffle with a dusting of spice. It’s then dry, finely balanced, yet still carries a powerful core of fleshy , games fruits with bright acidity and mouth coating tannins. The finish is long and strong with a classic peacock’s tail gaining more floral and spicy complexity as it lingers till the very end. It’s seriously impressive and an outstanding first release. 

It might not be cheap, but it is worth every cent and more.” rrp $95.00

97 points  A. Hughson winepilot.com

High Garden Pinot Noir from Gibbston Valley is a finely detailed, cool climate expression that captures the high altitude tension and quiet power of Central Otago’s most marginal subregion. Gibbston sits at the eastern edge of the region and is its coolest area, with vineyards planted at some of the highest elevations in New Zealand wine. Long daylight hours, cold nights and schist rich soils slow ripening dramatically, producing Pinot Noir with perfume, acidity and savoury complexity rather than sheer weight.

High Garden is a small, quality focused producer that works closely with carefully chosen sites, allowing Gibbston’s distinctive character to shine. The approach in the vineyard and cellar is gentle and considered, favouring balance, whole bunch nuance and restrained oak use. The goal is transparency and finesse, letting site and season lead the style.

In the glass, the wine is lifted and aromatic. Red cherry, wild strawberry and cranberry sit at the core, joined by rose petal, dried herbs and subtle spice. There is a cool, earthy undertone with hints of schist, ironstone and forest floor that add depth and clearly place the wine in Gibbston rather than the warmer Central Otago subregions.

On the palate, High Garden Pinot Noir is medium bodied and finely structured. Bright red fruit flavours glide through a supple mid palate, supported by fresh, natural acidity and fine, powdery tannins that give shape without weight. The texture is elegant and savoury, finishing long and precise with lingering red fruit, spice and mineral notes.

This is a Pinot Noir made for food and thoughtful drinking. It pairs beautifully with duck, roast chicken, pork, mushroom based dishes or lighter game. Drinking well now for its freshness and detail, it will also reward cellaring over five to eight years, gaining additional savoury complexity with time.

High Garden Pinot Noir is restrained, expressive and distinctly Gibbston Valley. A refined Central Otago Pinot that favours finesse, energy and sense of place over power.