2023 Rippon Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Wonderfully ripe strawberries and flowers with hints of balsamic and cloves as well as smoke, lead pencil and oyster shells. It’s medium-bodied with firm, lightly chewy tannins that are velvety yet crunchy at the same time. Tight at the end. Needs three or four years to soften. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

97 points James Suckling

I love the estate’s description of this wine, 'The farm voice of a distinct parcel of land'. Deep ruby with deep plum, wild strawberry and dark cherry fruits, exuberant and fruit-forward in nature with hints of brown spice, cocoa nibs, citrus blossom and dried rinds, schist, crushed rock. Mountain herbs and dried meats. Plenty of fruit depth and intensity, while retaining a sense of freshness and juicy vibes, with a toothsome, rocky tannin array and bright acidity. Such a lovely wine with detail and clarity to burn. Drink 2026 to 2041.

95 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, April 2026

Concentrated fruit aromas on the nose: notes of cherry, plum, and wild berries. Hints of violet and dried Mediterranean herbs, as well as balsamic undertones. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet elegant, with ripe acidity, slightly noticeable tannins, and a mineral-like finish.

95 points Falstaff

On the western shores of Lake Wānaka, Rippon is one of Central Otago’s most iconic vineyards, farmed biodynamically by the Mills family for generations. The Mature Vine Pinot Noir comes from established vines rooted in schist soils, with the lake moderating the climate and long, cool seasons building remarkable depth without sacrificing finesse. This is a site driven wine in the truest sense, shaped by place and a deeply held philosophy of working in tune with the land.

There is a natural intensity from these older vines, yet the wine leans into purity rather than power. Bright ruby in the glass, the aromatics are beautifully layered, dark cherry, raspberry and plum unfolding alongside violet, dried herbs and a distinct mineral edge that feels almost stony.

The palate is finely structured and quietly powerful, with concentrated red and dark fruits carried by silky, persistent tannins. There is a tension here, a line of acidity that keeps everything focused, while savoury notes and a touch of spice build through the mid palate. It finishes long and detailed, with a lingering sense of place.

This is a wine that loves thoughtful food. Duck, lamb, or dishes with earthy elements like mushrooms all work beautifully, as do plates that bring in herbs and gentle spice.

Drinking beautifully now with some air, though it will reward patience over ten to fifteen years as it develops further savoury complexity.

There is something special here, a Pinot Noir that feels both grounded and expressive, capturing the wild beauty of Central Otago in a glass.