2023 Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Rosemary and freshly turned earth mix with sour black and red cherry on the nose. The palate is awash with savoury and earthy tones, and highlights of tangy berries join in. The tannins cage the core; they're fine and firm. With air, you catch a glimpse of violets. This is a nicely balanced pinot that drinks well in its youth [to 2029].

89 points Gabrielle Poy for The Real Review, November 2025

A fresh, herbal and earthy pinot noir with mid-weight, tangy flavours of tomato and cranberry sitting under lingering dried thyme notes which assert themselves via stemmy tannins before giving way to chalky, floral nuances. Direct and crisp in style, this is balanced for immediate drinking [to 2028].

88 points Stephen Wong MW for The Real Review, November 2025

The 2023 Rabbit Ranch Pinot opens with piquant cranberry and cherry aromas with a backdrop of sun-baked Mediterranean herbs and earthy notes. Tanginess is the theme on the medium-weighted palate that feels firm but balanced.

The rosemary and earthy herbal notes here want something equally unfussy on a casual night, maybe rosemary and garlic roast chicken thighs, or a simple tomato and herb pasta.

More about this wine

The 2023 season might have been a disaster for parts of the North Island, but Central Otago enjoyed an even if somewhat cooler than average season that provided well-balanced and aromatic fruit of high quality.

About Rabbit Ranch

Rabbit Ranch was once a high-country sheep station owned by one Mr McGregor, but the sheep couldn’t quite keep up with the nocturnal feeding activity of the rabbits, and in the end were driven off the land. Failing to eradicate the rabbits, he decided to plant some vines but his vineyard fell into decline after the Second World War until his descendants Warren and Betty McGregor decided to replant the vineyard.