95 pts, Candice Chow

Bright, even, pale yellow. The nose is welcoming, with aromas of flint, stonefruit, citrus, wildflowers and delicate spice. Medium-bodied, aromas of nectarine, lemon sherbet, grapefruit and its zest, intertwined with stony minerals, flint, fine spice and wildflower. The fruit is bright and lifted, flowing effortlessly alongside fresh acidity and chalky mineral on a creamy mouthfeel. This Chardonnay has a harmonious flow, unveiling chalky minerals and an enticing finish. Match with snapper and scampi over the next 5-7 years. Clone 95, handpicked and whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented with wild yeast and aged in French oak for 11 months.

Notes

The 2024 vintage will be remembered as one of the finest growing

seasons in the history of Waitaki viticulture. El Niño delivered warmth 

and clarity, resulting in one of the driest and warmest seasons of the past

two decades. The region enjoyed a gentle accumulation of warmth across

summer and autumn, free from the persistent late-afternoon coastal

winds that often define our ripening window. Despite the usual

turbulence of a Waitaki spring — marked by strong winds and some

frost impact — the season settled into a steady rhythm, allowing the

fruit to develop with remarkable precision. Harvest began 10 days ahead

of our long-term average, offering an extended window for careful fruit

selection.

Hand-harvested fruit, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast

in French oak barrels. A 100% barrel ferment lends texture and depth.

Aromas of white peach and ripe lychee, layered with subtle floral tones,

sit alongside a faint mineral edge, offering both aromatic lift and

complexity. A vibrant entry of succulent stonefruit evolves into a focused

core of grapefruit acidity, delivering precision and energy. The palate is

finely textured, with a mineral backbone and a thread of salinity

providing structure and drive, leading to a long, refined finish that is

distinctly expressive of the Waitaki Valley’s cool-climate elegance.

94 pts, Candice Chow

Light crimson, lighter on the rim. The nose is lifted, with aromas of raspberry, cranberry, red cherry, rosehip, dry herb and a touch of spice. Medium-light bodied, aromas of raspberry, cranberry and red cherry, intertwined with rosehip, tarragon, thyme and delicate spice. The wine is packed with red fruit and fragrant aromatics, showing concentration and depth; enlivening acidity flows along a delicate, chalky mouthfeel, lending a poised, lengthy finish. This Pinot Noir is youthful and pretty, showing delicate, fragrant aromas on a Waitaki signature chalky mouthfeel. Match with duck breast and pork over the next 10 years. Femented to 12.5% alc.

Notes

A lifted, aromatic nose of redcurrant, cherry compote, and delicate herbal

perfumes leads the way, offering both vibrancy and nuance. The palate is

seamless and finely textured, with a subtle thread of salinity that adds

energy and tension. Beneath its elegance lies structure — finely grained

tannins and bright acidity that frame the wine and hint at its age worthiness.

97 points, Sam Kim

Wonderfully fruited and enticing, the bouquet shows dark plum, smoked game, tapenade, porcini, and roasted nut aromas. The concentrated palate delivers plump mouthfeel and velvety texture, splendidly framed by seamlessly woven tannins, making it opulent with grace and poise. At its best: now to 2037.

96 Points,  Raymond Chan

Light ruby-red with a tinge of garnet, slightly lighter on the rim. It has a lifted, rich bouquet with aromas of plum, cherry, mulberry, rose, spice, and undergrowth. Medium-bodied, with aromas of plum and mulberry entwined with black cherry, unveiling rose, forest floor, cinnamon, and nutmeg. There's depth to the flavour, supported by enlivening acidity, rippling on a linear, enticing flow. Silky, refined tannins provide structure and layer, lending a lengthy, graceful finish. This Pinot Noir is elegant and graceful yet powerful and precise. Match with stuffed pigeon and duck breast over the next 10+ years. Handpicked, clones 667, 777 predominant, fermented to 14.39% alc. 19+/20 pts (96 pts) Apr 2025.

96 Points, Candice Chow

Rich aromas of plum, mulberry, black cherry, rose, forest floor, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dijon clones 667 and 777 predominant, exhibiting richness and depth of savoury layers over seductive fruit and rose, adorning a silky tannin structure and an enticing acidity, carrying a lengthy, graceful finish.

95 Points, Cameron Douglas

Ripe and pure fruited with a core of red berry fruits and limestone soil scents. As the wine opens out in the glass, the earthy signature increases. Aromas of fine oak barrels and concentration of fruit show that this wine is youthful and highly energised. Dry, taut, and youthful squeeze on the palate, with flavours of cherry and raspberry, along with a strawberry compote note, then clay and limestone, oak spice, and focus. An abundance of fine tannins and a backbone of acidity frame the palate nicely. Lengthy and well-made, with the best drinking from 2029 through 2035+.

95 points, Stephen Wong

Floral and sweet; clouds of perfumed nutty, vanilla oak surround the rotating cast of dark cherry, plum and raspberry. A soft, plush, primary anise-spiced berry confit forms the core of this crystalline, pretty pinot noir. Not a blockbuster and no more than mid-weight, the pure and precise fruit is framed by light, powdery tannins before giving way to milk chocolate and spice. It can be approached now for charming delicacy but most of its intrigue will remain hidden, and it will need several years before it reveals its innate complexity. Best drinking 2025–2039

94 points, Claire Nesbitt, James Suckling

"Red plums, pomegranate and sweet mushrooms on the nose of this bright, transparent wine. Hints of licorice and rose petals. It's medium-bodied with fine, textural tannins. Layered, showing delicious savory and smoky undertones to the fruit."

96 points, Sam Kim

The bouquet is alluring and inviting with wild strawberry, sweet cherry, thyme, clove, and nutmeg aromas, followed by a silky-smooth palate that's juicy and finely flowing. Wonderfully composed and styled with refinement and harmony, leading to a persistent, velvety finish. At its best: now to 2035.

95 points, Raymond Chan

Light ruby-red, even colour throughout. The nose is lifted, with aromas of cherry plum, red date, raspberry, sweet floral and delicate spice. Medium-bodied, aromas of red cherry and raspberry intertwined with plum, vanilla, hibiscus, rose, cinnamon and earth. The wine is delicate and appealing; lacy, engaging acidity flows effortlessly, binding the red fruit core with floral, earth and gentle spices. Supple, dusty tannins lightly coat the palate and unfold spices. This Waitaki Pinot Noir is lifted and ethereal, with an enlivening and haunting closing. Match with roasted quail and pigeon over the next 10 years. Handpicked, clones 115, 667, 777, UCD6 and Abel. Fermented to 14.24% alc. 19/20 pts (95 pts) Apr 2025.

94 points, Cameron Douglas

Ripe and varietal, fruity and very new. Aroma of raspberry and cherry, plum and strawberry. A fine seam of limestone and clay soil woven through scents of barrel add complexity and intrigue. Taut, dry, fruity, and complex, a wine with an abundance of fine needle-point tannins and a backbone of acidity. Core fruit flavours mirror the bouquet. Plush, ripe, fruity, and vibrant with a lengthy and youthful finish. Best drinking from 2028 through 2034+.

94 points, Stephen Wong

Polished blackberry, violet and plum with floral notes, a seasoning of chocolaty oak and spicy, savoury complexity which unfurls in layers. The palate is tapered with fine tannin and tight acidity creating length for the youthful, backward flavours. Some charry savouriness and oak does creep in towards the back but on balance, the wine is sleek and compact, packed with black fruit and a persistent, evolving finish. It will evolve in the cellar for a decade at least. Best drinking 2026–2037