The Mohawk Hill vineyard is located in the foothills of the Pisa range. So named as a view of pine trees on a nearby hill ridge looks like a Mohawk. A little more wild herb character here, this is quite rich and savoury.
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"There were so many positives with this growing season and the resultant 2022 harvest. Nature provided some timely rains from October to December, which combined with warm dry periods in between allowed the vines to thrive, good even growth making Spring / Summer vine training a dream. Our nemesis, jack frost, was nowhere to be found and we enjoyed calm settled weather over flowering and fruit set, resulting in a healthy crop load with above average number of bunches/vine but smaller than average berry size, the perfect combination. Whilst the strong La Nina brought rain to the North Island and much of the East Coast of Australia, it gave us a beautifully warm, dry Autumn that extended into May. Whilst harvest started early for us in mid-March at Mohawk Hill, we enjoyed the cooler finish to the season which slowed down ripening at Poison Creek and Mt Maude, giving the Pinot Noirs in particular, time to develop wonderful flavours. We’re excited.
The name given to our Lowburn Vineyard in Cromwell, as when you stand amidst the wines and look out across Lake Dunstan, the hill you look directly upon was once aptly named Mohawk Hill by the workers who came to Central Otago to build the Clyde Dam. Planted in 2008 / 220m elevation. Clones 667, Abel, 5 / 30% whole cluster / 31 days maceration—without a doubt the largest and most luscious of the 4 single vineyard Pinot Noir, ripe cherry and plum aromas—rich, round and cuddly, a definite crowd favourite."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
Rated Excellent, 5 Stars & 93/100 NZ Wine Rater, August 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Very perfumed and fragrant with floral aromas of iris, violets, blackberry-conserve fruit and notes of pipe tobacco and caramel. Delicate, plush, fruity and textural with soft, sappy tannins. A wine with wide commercial appeal."
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, June 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"From Maude’s Lowburn vineyard using 36% whole cluster. Voluptuous, mouth-filling pinot noir with ripe plum, dark cherry and a seasoning of spice, thyme and anise. Impressive power and purity with a lingering finish."
Rated Very Good to Excellent, Mark Henderson ODT, June 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"Fresh perfume, rhubarb, strawberry, oak char, mixed berries with aeration. The fruit intensity is a surprise, a basket of summer berries, oak spices and a touch of leaf/wild herb. Creaminess in the mouth, good structure in support flowing to a medium length close. With air the tannins become more puckering and it shows its youth more. Potential for the future."
4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"The youthful 2019 vintage is a single-vineyard red, grown at Lowburn, in the Cromwell Basin, and matured in French oak casks (30 per cent new). Full, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling, generous, sweet-fruited and supple, with concentrated, vibrant fruit flavours, finely integrated oak, good tannin backbone, and a strong sense of youthful drive. A very ageworthy red, it should be at its best 2023+."