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  • Winestate Magazine

    OTAGO Central Otago & Waitaki Valley

    Sep 02, 2018 7 minutes

    78 TASTED

    64 AWARDED

    Winestate’s annual Central Otago tasting is one of the most eagerly anticipated. Despite its relative youth, (the region has been making wines for only 30 or so years), Central is home to some of NZ’s most experienced winemakers.

    Best known for pinot noir, this was reflected in the number of wines entered. With such distinct sub-regions as Gibbston, Bannockburn and Bendigo providing grapes of diverse flavour profiles it was no surprise the panel found no single ‘Central’ style but instead an exciting range of winemaking approaches to this mercurial grape. Some winemakers seemed to favour a more densely fruited and opulent style while others preferred to stay firmly in the red fruited spectrum, their wines are often accompanied by a touch of whole bunch complexity.

    Yet it was the aromatics that really excited; Central’s relatively cool climate allowing riesling and pinot gris to ripen beautifully whilst retaining a natural mouth-watering line of acidity. These are wines of charm and poise.

    Though the premium wines are now commanding upwards of $75 a bottle there is

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