2022 Amisfield Pinot Noir, Central Otago

A classic and enticing bouquet of dark cherry and baking spices, layers of spicy plum and baking spice, rose and flinty soil suggestions. As the wine opens out the complexity builds with an expansion of fruit and mineral scents framed by oak. A dry wine touches the palate framed by textures of tannin and acidity then core fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet. A lovely example, well made and lengthy with best drinking from 2027 through 2037. Excellent

94+ points Cameron Douglas MS camdouglasms.com

A pure sweet nose of cherry and strawberry with subtle woody and spice inflections. The palate is notably firmer, as grainy, stalky tannins grip early towards the front, turning to cocoa and cassia as it goes on. Despite these evident secondary characters, the wine is clearly built on its core of mouth-coating, sweet fruit. Lovely fruit concentration of good length, wrapped in sweet oak and a firm coating of structure which will see it develop savoury complexity over the coming decade 08 Oct 2024 Drink 2024–2035

92 points Stephen Wong MW therealreview.com

Amisfield Pinot Noir from Central Otago is a benchmark expression of New Zealand Pinot Noir, renowned for its vibrant fruit, complexity, and finesse. Crafted by Amisfield’s talented winemaker, Greg Lane, this wine epitomizes the essence of Central Otago’s unique terroir and the winery’s dedication to minimal-intervention, estate-grown winemaking.

The grapes for this Pinot Noir are sourced from Amisfield’s single estate vineyard in the Pisa subregion of Central Otago. The region’s semi-continental climate, with hot days and cool nights, is ideal for Pinot Noir, allowing for slow ripening and the development of concentrated flavors, refined tannins, and natural acidity. The vineyard’s glacially derived soils add a distinctive mineral quality to the wine.

Winemaker Greg Lane employs a hands-off approach to let the vineyard’s character shine. Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted meticulously before undergoing fermentation with wild yeasts. A portion of whole clusters is included in the ferment to enhance aromatic complexity and structure. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, with a restrained use of new oak, for 10 months, allowing the flavors to integrate and develop.

In the glass, Amisfield Pinot Noir displays a brilliant ruby-red hue. The nose is complex and enticing, offering aromas of red cherries, wild strawberries, and cranberries, interwoven with hints of violets, forest floor, and a touch of spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and silky, with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity supporting flavors of ripe red fruit, savory herbs, and a whisper of oak. The finish is long, elegant, and perfectly balanced.

This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roasted duck, lamb, or grilled salmon, as well as earthy vegetarian dishes like mushroom risotto or lentil stew. While delightful in its youth, it has the structure and depth to age gracefully for 8-10 years, developing further complexity with time.