LOWBURN FERRY CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR 2022

Lowburn Ferry wines are now under the umbrella of Aotearoa NZ Wine Estates (along with Pyramid Valley and Smith & Sheth CRU) with the wines made by Pyramid Valley's talented winemaker Huw Kinch. This brand new release impresses with sense of place and opulence on the palate. An excellent wine.

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Bright ruby hue. Complex red fruits,with lifted florals and savoury, meaty notes. Fine dense structure, with crunchy red fruits and savoury, earthy, meaty undertones. A young wine with elegance, but density of fruit, quite compact and long. It is sure to age gracefully.

Predominantly from the original Lowburn Ferry vineyard in the Lowburn subregion. Originally planted in 2000 on a gentle, north facing slope with a mix of clones and new plantings of high density Pinot Noir planted on lower terraces in 2018-2020. Soils are predominantly loess over deep silts that have developed pedogenic lime deposits. Vertical shoot positioned (VSP) trained vines planted at 3,000 – 9,000 vines/ha. Biogro certified. Harvested 2nd to 15th April 2022.

Multiple clones hand-sorted and gravity tipped into concrete and oak open top fermenters. Gently destemmed, uninoculated ferment. The cap is wet once a day with a small amount of wine and plunged once during the peak of the ferment. Total time on skins of 18-22 days. Aged 12 months in barrel followed by 9 months in concrete and wooden cuves. Unfined."

5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"It's sweetly fruited with spicy nuances, showing dark cherry, dried herb, game, mushroom, and nutmeg aromas on the nose. The palate presents a beautifully rounded mouthfeel, complemented by a supple texture and silky tannins, making it both soothing and highly appealing. At its best: now to 2032."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, March 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"A classic hue of Burgundy at the core with fresh purple and pink highlights lead to a bouquet of wild red berry fruits, a savoury dried herb frame and crumbled stony soil highlights. Tense and delicious, a taut, dry wine with dried herb and red berry fruit flavours, raspberry and strawberry then light smoke wood tones. Firm structure from tannins and acidity suggest cellar time is needed to allow more integration and softening. Persistent flavours, plenty of complexity and charm. A promising example. Best from 2028 through 2035+."