After many public and private tasting's, and much thought and deliberation, The Wine Vault has finally decided on a winner for last years New Zealand Pinot Noir of the Year Award.
The panel at The Wine Vault tasted 100 great wines from Martinborough, Central Otago, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and the Waipara.
Wines such as Prophets Rock, Crater Rim, Fromm, Ata Rangi, and Alana Estate were tasted. This was serious competition for the overall winner.
Rippon Pinot Noir 2006 was chosen for its superior structure and balance with great depth of character. There were hints of forest floor , almost mushroom, hidden behind red fruit and light Cocoa tannin.
The light colour of it's robe was a delight to see and the thought of a New Zealand Pinot Noir not being over extracted excited us greatly. The wine was textural with good minerality and light tannin and nice and dry, unlike many of the sweet Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noirs that make it onto the market.
The downside to this wine is the price. At $59 it is not for the masses and in these current economic conditions I am not sure whether much will be sold.
Rippon as a winery and vineyard adhere to Biodynamic/Organic principles (another plus for a great winery) and I am sure that adds some complexity to the wine and gives it great balance.
We at The Wine Vault would like to congratulate Rippon for making great wine across the range and especially this Pinot Noir.
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