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Buy OnlineNew Zealand Organic Wine Awards 'Sustainable Vineyard of the Year' 2024
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The Fusilier Vineyard is named in honour of Sam’s father, Major Dermot Neill, a soldier in the Royal Irish Fusilier Regiment for twenty years before returning home to Dunedin, New Zealand, where he ran the family Wine & Spirit business, Neill & Co. Planted entirely in 2000, The Fusilier is 5.6 hectares of pinot noir, on rolling northerly facing terraces at the western end of Felton Rd and bordered by the vineyard of the same name. Soils on the terraces consist of deep alluvial fans, which are made up of varying depths of silt, sand and gravel layering all derived from mountainous raw schist parent material.
Three different fermentations from the single vineyard Fusilier in Bannockburn. Clonal selection is 14% clone 10/5, 16% clone 667 and 75% clone 115. Total whole bunch component is 58%. Initial cold soak at 8 degrees Celsius for 5 days. Average fermentation time of 23 days, hand plunged no more than once a day with an indigenous yeast to start fermentation which peaked at 33 degrees Celsius. Lightly pressed and settled, then racked to barrel (French barrique), 29% new wood, for an average of 11 months.
Brooding, thoughtful, dark and intriguing aromatically, whilst bold the underlying core is elegant, fragrant and fresh. A gorgeous expression of this idyllic Bannockburn vineyard."
96/100 James Suckling, January 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Aromas of black cherries, kola nuts and lavender followed by dried herbs and orange zest with underlying potting soil notes. Mushrooms. Some gun metal. Medium-bodied, firm tannins and vivid acidity. Beautifully polished and delightful wine with great balance. From organically grown grapes. Give it time to open. Better after 2025."
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, January 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Dense, cassis, dark berries, dark chocolate, dark cherry, wood smoke and spicy oak flavours with a firm but accessible structure that promises to reward anyone who looks after the wine in temperature-controlled conditions. Drinking 2023-2032."
5 Stars & 95/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review, September 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Impressively deep, rich purple-red colour; the bouquet is highly detailed, strong on roasted meats and smoky charcuterie, char-oak and dark cherry; there is lovely sweet succulent fruit in the core and then a wave of firm, grippy tannins sweeps in. It's a wine of serious depths and assertive character, which deserves to be given a little time as well as a hearty protein dish for company. Drinking 2025 – 2038."
94/100 Susy Atkins, Decanter (2021 vintage)
"From the north-facing terraces at the western end of Felton Road, Bannockburn. Along with dried red cherries and cooked strawberries, there are subtle, exotic notes of rose petals and Turkish delight. This is a savoury, spicy Pinot. Tannins are evident but supple. Wood spice on the finish."
