Chard Farm The Tiger Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019

This is a single vineyard Pinot, harvested from small patches in the Tiger Vineyard, located on a terrace in the Lowburn Valley sub-region of Central Otago. The site is an elevated cooler position which no doubt contributes to the style and structure of this compelling Pinot. More than any of the Pinots in this latest collection, this wine needs time to emerge and show us what it has. When it does, it will undoubtedly prove to be an absolute cracker. So for now, hands off, if you can, for at least three to five years.

A pale crimson red. The brambly/stalkiness apparent immediately in the aroma suggests some whole bunch character here, together with spices, cinnamon, warm forest leaves, red berries and ripe vegetation decaying (in the nicest way). Powerful aromatics, yet the wine still seems so young. There are dry herbs, gamey notes and animal skin characters. Silky tannins and a supple palate cannot hide that this is a big, bold and complex Pinot, which is surprisingly luscious on the palate. *For now, 92, but in time, this surely has so much improvement to come, when it emerges from its shell.