Clutha Ridge Vineyards, Central Otago

WINEMAKER / Matt Connell

5 stars
96 points

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

review

This is wonderfully composed and styled, showing sweet cherry, rich floral, warm spice, and toasted nut aromas on the nose. The concentrated palate is both rich and refined with a velvety texture, beautifully framed by finely infused tannins, making it structured yet harmonious and persistent with a plush mouthfeel. At its best: now to 2032.

5 stars
93 points

The Wine Writer

review

Vibrant purple in colour with a bag of aromas - dark cherry, wild raspberry, plum, violet, thyme, black tea and warm cinnamon. The palate is supple and concentrated, with ripe red and dark berry fruit, fine silky tannins, and a cool Central Otago mineral thread that keeps everything fresh and nicely shaped. Layers of maraschino cherry, cocoa powder, dried herb and subtle oak flavours flow into impressive length. Polished, confident, and ready to steal the spotlight! Enjoy now for vibrancy - to 2033 for more earthy complexity.

5 stars
93 points

Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

review

Medium ruby-red with a purple hue, even colour throughout. The nose is expressive, packed with aromas of black and red cherry, mulberry, thyme, spice and smoke. Medium-bodied, aromas of cherry, mulberry and thyme, entwined with pepper, nutmeg and toasty oak. The fruit is juicy with a balance of red and black fruit; oak spice enriches and contributes layers. Smooth, silky tannins provide elegance and vitality. Match with duck and lamb loin over the next 6+ years. 

5 stars
93 points

Candice Chow

review

This Central Otago Pinot Noir is well-balanced, with succulent black and red fruit, layering spice, silky tannins, and carrying a long, elegant finish.

EXCELLENT
93 points

Cameron Douglas - MS

review

A delicious wine, balanced and well made with core aromas and flavours black plum and dark-skinned cherry flesh, there’s a distinctive savoury core with clove and vanilla spice, some smoky wood tones and earthy qualities. Taut, dry, youthful, silky smooth, balanced and well made. Tannins are fine and acidity bold giving the wine youth and finesse. Best drinking from 2026 through 2032.

18.5/20

Joelle Thomson

review

A polished, expressive Pinot Noir that captures the intensity and elegance of Central Otago with aromas of black cherry, subtle red plums and a floral depth of taste that is underpinned by earthy mushroom aromas and subtle oak. The palate is silky and concentrated with finely tuned tannins and vibrant acidity framing fruit flavours. This is a wine of balance and depth, with a long, layered finish. It drinks well now and is especially well suited to mushroom risotto.