Waipara Pinot NoirThe Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir 2013/2014/2015
Tasted in mid 2018, the 2013-2015 vintages offer good value. Estate-grown and fermented with indigenous yeasts, the 2015 vintage (3.5*) was matured for 13 months in French oak barriques, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Fullish in colour, with a fragrant, savoury, slightly leafy bouquet, it is fresh, with strong, plummy, slightly herbal flavours, showing good complexity. Drink now or cellar. The 2014 vintage (4.5*) is mouthfilling and savoury, with concentrated plum, cherry and spice flavours, showing excellent ripeness and complexity. The 2013 vintage (4*) has fullish, moderately developed colour. Fragrant, it is vibrantly fruity, with fresh cherry, plum and spice flavours, good acid spine and lots of current-drinking appeal. Michael Cooper The Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir 2014 | 93/100 | 5 Stars A beautifully composed pinot, the lifted bouquet shows dark cherry, plum, smoked meat, clove and nutmeg characters with subtle truffle complexity. The palate is concentrated and beautifully weighted, and offers terrific fruit power and silky texture, wonderfully structured by fine, polished tannins. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit The Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir 2015 | 93/100 | 5 Stars It is wonderfully fruited and delightfully fragrant, displaying dark cherry, earthy mushroom, floral, almond and smoky bacon notes on the nose, followed by a juicy palate that is rounded and fleshy. It is beautifully fruited and flavoursome, while remaining elegant and poised. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit The Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir 2016 | 91/100 | 4.5 Stars It is beautifully fragrant on the nose showing red cherry, plum, floral and spice characters with a subtle savoury nuance. The palate displays juicy fruit intensity and fine texture, together with spicy notes and fine tannins. The wine is poised and stylish, and offers elegance as well as up front drinkability. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit The Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 | 95/100 | 5 Stars This is gorgeously fruited and immensely appealing on the nose showing dark cherry, Black Doris plum, vanilla, cedar and toasted spice characters with a touch of truffle. The palate is concentrated and wonderfully weighted with fleshy mouthfeel and velvety texture, splendidly framed by silky tannins. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit. The Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir 2018 | 94/100 | 5 Stars Wonderfully ripe and impressively complex, the wine shows Black Doris plum, spiced cherry, vanilla, game, truffle and fragrant spice notes on the nose, leading to a concentrated palate that's plump and fleshy. It's plush and mouthfilling while remaining elegant and harmonious with a lengthy savoury finish. Sam Kim - Wine Orbit. The Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir 2019 | 93/100 | 5 Stars Gorgeously ripe and inviting with dark cherry, sweet plum, floral, hazelnut and subtle mushroom aromas, the wine offers terrific fruit concentrated and persistency, while remaining elegant and harmonious. Sam Kim - Wine Orbit. View the 2014 Tasting Notes View the 2015 Tasting Notes View the 2016 Tasting Notes View the 2017 Tasting Notes View the 2019 Tasting Notes |