2022 Chard Farm The Tiger Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Medium-light depth of red tinged with purple; the bouquet very smoky/oaky/cedary and quite stylish, with traces of porcini mushroom, smoked ham and truffle, with some five spice emerging. Very appealing if a touch heavy on the oak. In the mouth, it's rich and supple, with powder-fine tannins and delicious flavour, albeit more on the savoury side than fruit. 07 Apr 2025 Drink 2025–2036

94 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Chard Farm The Tiger Pinot Noir from Central Otago is a bold, single-vineyard expression grown on the schist-laced slopes of Parkburn. This site, perched on a steep, north-facing terrace between the Pisa Range and the Clutha River, brings warmth, intensity and structure to the fruit, while cool alpine nights preserve elegance and aromatics. It's a subregion known for darker, more powerful styles of Pinot Noir, and The Tiger leans into that with confidence.

Winemaker John Wallace uses a hands-off approach to let the vineyard speak. Fermentation is wild, extraction is gentle, and oak is mostly older French barrels, allowing the fruit and site to take centre stage. In the glass, it delivers dense black cherry and plum layered with violet, thyme, graphite and just a whisper of baking spice. The palate is powerful yet composed, with fine, chalky tannins and a long, driven finish.

This wine has excellent cellaring potential, easily 8 to 10 years, but is equally compelling now with food. Pair it with slow-cooked lamb, venison, or mushroom-based dishes that play to its depth and savoury character. The Tiger is not just another Pinot Noir. It’s a statement wine from a dramatic landscape, handled with precision and restraint.