TWO PADDOCKS THE FUSILIER PINOT NOIR 2022

New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 'Sustainable Vineyard of the Year' 2024

Winery notes (2022 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.

Brooding, thoughtful, dark and intriguing aromatically, whilst bold the underlying core is elegant, fragrant and fresh. A gorgeous expression of this idyllic Bannockburn vineyard."

Rated Outstanding & 96/100 Cameron Douglas, November 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"There’s no mistaking the sense of site with this wine, the voice of place is clear [for me] with scents of floral perfumes and soft earth clay, a fine dried herb seam with layers of vanilla spice and sweet French oak. Taut and new still with tension from fine tannins and acid line, this holds the palate to allow the flavours of red berries, plum and wild black currant berries to add their voice and softness. Dry, plenty of fine textures and complexity. Lengthy and well made with best drinking from 2028 through 2038."

Reviews for the 2021 vintage below…

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."