2023 Chard Farm Mata-Au Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Chard Farm Mata Au Pinot Noir from Central Otago is a confident, site expressive wine that captures the raw power and natural finesse of the Kawarau Gorge. Mata Au takes its name from the Māori word for the Clutha River, which carves dramatically through this landscape, shaping both climate and soils. The vineyard sits on steep slopes above the river, planted on ancient schist and gravel terraces that deliver intensity, savoury depth and a strong mineral backbone. Chard Farm is one of Central Otago’s original pioneers, established in the late 1980s, and remains family owned, with a long standing commitment to bold, character driven wines that reflect the extremes of place.

The Mata Au site is warm and exposed by day, yet sharply cooled by cold nights, creating Pinot Noir with both ripeness and tension. Fruit is hand harvested from low yielding vines, with careful use of whole bunches to build aromatic lift and structural detail. Fermentation is wild, extraction is purposeful but measured, and maturation takes place in French oak chosen to support the wine’s architecture rather than soften its personality. The result is a Pinot Noir that feels unapologetically Central Otago in scale, yet still finely tuned.

The aromatics are deep and expressive. Dark cherry, black raspberry and wild plum lead, followed by dried rose, thyme and cracked spice. Beneath the fruit lies a strong savoury signature of schist dust, ironstone and forest floor, grounding the wine firmly in its rugged origin. With time in the glass, notes of orange peel, clove and subtle smoky complexity begin to emerge.

The palate is powerful, structured and persistent. Dark fruits drive through firm, finely grained tannins that give the wine authority without heaviness. Flavours of black cherry, cranberry, spice and mineral earth build in layers, supported by fresh acidity that keeps the wine energetic and long. The finish is savoury, mineral and slightly wild, leaving a lasting impression of place. While impressive now with decanting, Mata Au is built to age, rewarding eight to fifteen years in the cellar with greater harmony, truffle, sous bois and savoury complexity.

An excellent match for roast duck, venison, slow cooked lamb, mushroom dishes or earthy vegetarian fare. Chard Farm Mata Au Pinot Noir is a bold, honest expression of Central Otago, shaped by river, rock and extremes, and unapologetically true to its origins.