New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 'Sustainable Vineyard of the Year' 2024
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The Last Chance is a beautifully sited two-hectare terrace perched in bright clear air above the Earnscleugh Valley, carefully planted with well-tended Burgundian clone pinot noir. It nestles amongst a small cluster of the World’s most southerly vineyards and takes its name from the watercourse that runs through its heart, hand dug by gold miners in the 1860s, The Last Chance. Soils are raw schist gravels that are low in fertility and require careful nurturing.
Picked on the 8th of April 2021 and sorted in the vineyard. Clonal selection predominantly 86% clone 115 and 14% clone 5. 79% whole-bunch fermentation in a 3.5 tonne French oak cuve. 7-day cold soak at 7-12 degrees Celsius. Indigenous yeast added. 24 days left on skins with one plunge per day. Fermented for 9 days between 17- 33 degrees Celsius – post fermentation 7day maceration at 26 – 30 degrees Celsius. Settled for 4 days before being transferred to medium and light toast French barriques for 11 months maturation(11% new oak).
Spice, wild thyme and Cuban coffee bean aromatics give way to gorgeous fully textured mouthfeel showing great tension and drive. The palate is elegant and flavoursome with a long lingering mineral finish showing poise, memory and site."
95/100 JamesSuckling.com, January 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Fresh red currants, wild strawberries and rose hips followed by zesty citrus peel and cedar. Medium-bodied, refreshing acidity and firm yet finely-grained tannins. Underlying complex and savoury minerality of mushrooms and wet leaves on the palate and finish. Serious depth and length. Piquant and zesty. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
94/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review, September 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Medium-depth red-purple colour; the bouquet is shy, reserved and gently meaty with a note of dried herbs, while the palate opens with noticeable fruit sweetness in the front and middle palates, then a wave of firm drying tannin rolls in and clenches the finish in a serious grip. A wine of serious intent."