2025 Shaky Bridge Artisan Reserve Pinot Gris, Central Otago

98 points Double Gold NZ International Wine Competition 2025

2025 Shaky Bridge Artisan Reserve Pinot Gris, Central Otago, is a standout example of the region’s ability to produce richly textured yet finely balanced Pinot Gris, and its quality has been emphatically recognised with 98 Points and a Double Gold at the New Zealand International Wine Show. Shaky Bridge is deeply rooted in Central Otago, sourcing fruit from carefully selected vineyards where altitude, intense sunlight and cool nights shape wines of concentration and clarity. The region’s schist based soils and semi continental climate give Pinot Gris both flavour density and natural acidity, while the Artisan Reserve label signals small batch selection and extra attention in the vineyard and winery.

The colour is a luminous pale gold with silvery highlights. Aromatically, the wine is generous and layered, showing ripe pear, white peach and baked apple, followed by hints of honeysuckle, spice and a subtle almond note. The palate is where it truly shines, offering a plush, mouth filling texture balanced by a fine line of acidity that keeps everything fresh and composed. Stone fruit and pear glide across the palate, supported by gentle savoury notes and a long, polished finish. There is real depth and precision here, making it far more than a simple aromatic white. It pairs beautifully with roast pork, spiced Asian dishes, grilled chicken, rich seafood and soft cheeses. Drinking superbly now for its vibrancy and texture, it also has the structure to cellar for five to seven years, gaining further complexity and savoury nuance with time. A serious Central Otago Pinot Gris and a deservedly award winning wine.