2023 Amisfield Breakneck Reserve Pinot Noir, Central Otago

A bigger style of pinot with black cherry, olive and ume with a hint of savoury development under noticeable spicy oak. The palate is firmly structured with ripe, almost salty concentration of very ripe fruit with some notes of dried berries and sumac. Long and intense with impressive density but lacking a bit in detail, this large-scaled wine will soften slowly as it absorbs its wood and tannic shell. Drink 2027–2040.

94 points Stephen Wong for The Real Review, November 2025

Well-crafted, lively and succulent, exhibiting notes of red cherries, citrus peel and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied and nicely structured with fine tannins and plenty of verve on the palate. Vivid and delicious with bright orange lift in the long, juicy finish. From organically grown grapes.

93 points James Suckling, October 2025

The Breakneck Reserve takes its name from a creek on the Amisfield property. It is a barrel selection from certified organic blocks 7 and 7C. The two parcels on sandy loam soils consistently produce fruit for a concentrated and structured wine.

The 2023 is the eight realease of this wine. The season brought heat and drought stress through summer, with a cold March moderating conditions and slowing harvest. Clean, concentrated fruit was picked at leisure rather than under pressure. Twenty-five percent whole bunches were included in fermentation, spending up to 32 days on skins before 16 months in French oak with 30% new barrels.

Deep ruby, the nose shows dark cherry, black plum, violet and star anise with a savoury spice thread and fine oak integration. The palate is full and structured with dark fruit intensity, silky tannins and a long, composed finish. More concentration and cellar potential than the estate Pinot Noir, and worth the patience of letting this reast in the bottle for a couple of years.

Enough structure and flavour here for somethig a touch heartier like roast venison.

Drink now through 2033.