Gibbston Valley Winery – Cave and Winery Tours

A Goode Call! Special 2009 Pinot Noirs

“Gibbston are making great wines across the board, and Chris Keys the young winemaker here seems on top form. The 2009 Pinots will be something worth waiting for if the barrel samples are anything to go by.” – Top UK wine writer, Jamie Goode, January 2010
The 2009 Pinot Noirs have been released to immediate and widespread acclaim. The most prestigious award has been awarded to the 2009 China Terrace Pinot Noir – winner of an Elite Gold and the O-I New Zealand Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy at Air NZ Wine Awards. Chairman of Judges Steve Smith MW described it as having “deep, dark colour with aromas of rich cherry pie and spice, still nervy and fresh. All that richness continues on the palate without a trace of heaviness.” Its sister vineyard, the higher altitude School House Single Vineyard release, also won Gold at the same show. This success of the SV’s is significant for the winemaking team, as they place emphasis on releasing wines with elegance, a sense of place, and vineyard – specific characters. The more established Gibbston Valley releases have also continued a lineage of achievement. The 2009 Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir rated 2nd out of 242 Pinot Noirs tasted, in Cuisine Magazine’s annual Pinot Noir tasting. This 5 star wine was described as a “well wrought synthesis of red and dark fruit flavours, fine tannins, subtle oak and a big pristine fruit core that exudes charm”. 92 points from Australia Gourmet Traveller, and 18+ from Geoff Kelly confirm its widespread appeal.		Last to be released and longest in the making, the 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir debuted in the Sydney International Wine Competition, receiving a Blue Gold medal – a tremendous result for such a young wine. The single vineyard Pinot release from the Home Block, the 2009 Le Maitre, is made from 26 year old vines and is in a different realm from most Central Otago Pinot Noirs, with a very Burgundian emphasis on structure, earth and spice. Excrutiantingly rare, this special wine is not to be missed. Current 2009 Releases – available online now Gibbston Valley 2009 Pinot Noir $42 5 stars Cuisne; 92 Points Australian Gourmet Traveller; 18+ Geoff Kelly; 4.5 stars Michael Cooper Gibbston Valley 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir $100 Blue Gold Sydney International Wine Competition; 5 stars Michael Cooper Single Vineyard Releases China Terrace 2009 Pinot Noir $55 Pure Elite Gold and O-I New Zealand Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy Air NZ Wine Awards; Gold Bragato Wine Awards; 5 Stars Michael Cooper; 18+ Geoff Kelly School House 2009 Pinot Noir $55 Pure Gold Air NZ Wine Awards; 4.5 stars Michael Cooper; 18+ Geoff Kelly Le Maitre Pinot Noir $55