Amen Break Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023

Top notch Central Otago Pinot Noir for this price is a rarity indeed – good luck finding better for the money. From a single vineyard, the Gravelly Gully Vineyard, this is made by Matt Harrop who established his reputation with stellar Pinots (and other wines) at places like Curly Flat and Shadowfax. If I followed correctly, the reference to Amen Break is a nod to a six second drum solo from 1969, which must have been pretty smashing, given the brief time. The colour is a riveting crimson, mauve. This is powerfully fragrant with notes of warm earth, forest floor, raspberries and cassis, moving to lovely strawberry jam notes on the palate. A hint briary with some blueberry notes. There is focus and length with fine tannins, and a considerable amount of them. Time in the cellar, two or three years, would allow the moderation of those tannins. Seriously good value. Enjoy this over the next five to eight years.