CAROLINE'S 2016 PINOT NOIR 98 points, Ray Jordan “The finest new world pinot I have tasted.” 97 points, Huon Hooke “Deep, bright purple/red colour, much more saturated colour than earlier Ostler pinots. The aroma is fresh and bright, with loads of black plum and black cherry flavours and aromas. There is a higher level of concentration here, with excellent ripeness and textbook fruit character. Oak is very background: the fruit does the talking. But the wine is very young and demands a little extra time for best results. Intense fruit with firm but measured tannins, and a long, harmonious carry. A gorgeous, elegant but profound pinot that will do much to cement the reputation of this budding region. (To be released in a year's time. The extra year will only do it good.) 15/9/2017” 97 points, Sam Kim “An outstanding wine of exceptional balance and harmony; the richly expressed bouquet shows Black Doris plum, spiced cherry, hazelnut, olive, cake spice and smoked meat characters, followed by an impressively concentrated palate that’s mouthfilling and delicious. It’s stacked with ripe fruit flavours and velvety texture, together with savoury nuances, making it gratifying and mesmerising. At its best: now to 2030.” 96 points IWC gold Medal “This wine is one of NZ's top 10 Pinot Noirs. Described as Chambolle-Musigny like by Matt Kramer of Wine Spectator, it has won some of the world's most important awards.” International Wine Challenge (IWC). “This is the sixth consecutive Caroline’s vintage to have been awarded a gold medal since the 2010 vintage in this annual wine competition dubbed ‘The Oscars of the Wine World’. 96 points, Bob Campbell “Dense, ripe and vibrant pinot noir with dark berry, cherry, liquorice, anise, plum and classy oak flavours. An impressive wine with power and potential, although it is deliciously drinkable now. It has an impeccable balance and a tantalisingly lengthy finish.” 96 Points, Cameron Douglas “Fantastic bouquet of limestone minerals, ripe red berry fruit and Pinosity. Layers of red berry fruits interwoven with oak spice and floral tones; no mistaking the influences of oak - well measure and appropriate. Dry, firm and youthful with a core of red bery flavours, fine to moderate tannins and plenty of acidity. The minerality punches through - tempered by oak and flavour. Lengthy finish. A fine wine. Drink from release through 2026.” 19/20 pts Aug 2020, Raymond Chan Bright, light ruby-red with a garnet hue, even throughout. The nose is gently full, attractive fragrances of florals, herbs melded with cranberries, cherries and a very fine undertone of earthy minerals and a light dusting of spices. Medium-bodied, the wine has the purity of fruit and well-defined layer flavours of vibrant cranberries and red cherries, along with blossoms and fresh herbs; layered with delicate black pepper spices and underlying earth and mineral nuances. The wine has good tension, shows vitality and youth, full of delicate interests. The palate is light and bright with a silky, chalky tannin line, and lacy acidity lends a long lingering finish, immensely pleasurable. This is an elegant Pinot Noir with flavours of red fruit, good acid tension and delicate interests on a silky-fine palate. Match with roasted quail and crispy skin duck over the next 6-8 years. 92 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “The medium to full-bodied 2016 Caroline's Pinot Noir features ripe notes of cola, plum and black cherry but also fresh floral elements of rose petals and hints of thyme. The tannins are supple up front, then turn dustier on the finish, where subtle spice shadings appear and linger. This is as convincing an argument I've tasted for this little-known portion of Otago. (JC) 92+” 92 points, Wine Spectator “Lush and rich, with sink-your-teeth-into-them flavors of ripe black cherry and blackberry, accents of vanilla and sage, and a whiff of caramel. The tannins are plush and supple, the finish complex.”