1 x Mystery Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011

AWARDED 94/100 POINTS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

AWARDED 5 STARS: Raymond Chan

"A magnificently matured pinot, the seductively savoury bouquet shows earthy mushroom, tapenade, dried flower and sweet berry aromas with hints of tanned leather and cake spice. The palate is silky and juicy, displaying elegance as well as gorgeous mouthfeel, well supported by fine texture and polished tannins. At its best: now to 2019." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 2018.

"Even garnet-red colour, lighter on the rim with some bricking.  The bouquet is full and broad with even volume, showing integrated aromas of red berry fruits seamlessly layered with dark and dried herbs, along with undergrowth, mushrooms and cedar... The aromatics are expressed with smooth intensity and penetration, and are complete in proportion.  Medium-bodied, the flavours are rich, soft and smooth with a mouthfilling breadth, of harmoniously interwoven flavours of savoury dark-red berryfruit with dried herbs, red floral nuances and a layering of undergrowth and mushrooms.  The fruit richness is countered by fine, grainy, slightly drying tannins and integrated acidity lending a soft-textured grip.  The flavours and textures carry to a full, broad and even finish.  This is a seamlessly layered and integrated Pinot Noir with savoury red fruits and secondary development on a soft, textured palate with fine-grained tannins.  This is on its maturity plateau." Raymond Chan, 2018

From vines planted in 1998 and 1999, indigenous yeast fermented with 5% whole clusters to 13.4% alc., this beautiful wine has aged 17 months in 40% new oak. 2011 was a moderate yielding vintage of small berries, the wines concentrated, but well balanced. Harvest was between 17 March and 4 April.

Food Pairing: Serve with coq au vin and casseroles over the next 3 years.

1 x Mystery Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012

AWARDED 95/100 POINTS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

AWARDED 5 STARS: Raymond Chan

"Wonderfully fruited and refined, the enticing bouquet shows mixed berry compote, vanilla, hazelnut, truffle and roast meat characters. The palate is powerfully graceful, displaying excellent weight and plush mouthfeel, leading to a persistent velvety finish. Seamless and delicious. At its best: now to 2020." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 2018. 

"Full, even, dark garnet-red colour, a little lighter on the rim with hints of bricking.  The nose is firmly packed with well-concentrated aromas of dark-red and black-berried fruits along with dark herbs forming a firm core and heart.  The fruit retains freshness and vibrancy, and still has the potential to develop more complexity. With aeration, black minerals, a little undergrowth and lifted dark-red florals unfold.  Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly concentrated with a firm, tight heart of dark-red and black-berried fruits along with dark and dried herbs.  The fruit has freshness and fragrance, with dark florals and minerals notes.  The mouthfeel is bright and lively with fresh acidity, and the fruit is underlined by a fine line of tannin extraction and structure.  This has sweetness and linearity, and carries to a long, sustained finish of ripe dark-red and black fruit with some undergrowth interest.  This is a firm and well-packed dark-red and black-fruited Pinot Noir with freshness and developing notes of secondary interest with a fine, firm structure." Raymond Chan, 2018. 

From vines planted in 1998 and 1999, the fruit fully destemmed and  indigenous yeast fermented to 12.5% alc., this decadent wine has aged 17 months in 33% new oak. In 2012, a cool spring and summer saw reduced yields, but the March ‘Indian Summer’ resulted in wines of excellent concentration. Harvest was between 3 April and 1 May.

Food Pairing: Match with lamb, beef and venison over the next 4-5+ years.

1 x Mystery Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013

AWARDED 94/100 POINTS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

AWARDED 5 STARS: Raymond Chan

"Complex, engaging and very seductive, the wine shows dried cherry, smoked game, mushroom and toasted nut aromas, leading to a sweetly expressed palate that is silky and juicy. The wine offers fabulous fruit intensity backed by fine texture and silky tannins, finishing impressively long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2020." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 2018. 

"Dark garnet-red colour with some depth, a little lighter on the rim with a hint of bricking.  The bouquet is soft and gently full with harmoniously and seamlessly interwoven aromas of red berry fruits along with subtle notes of dried herbs and fragrant red florals.  Some undergrowth and mushroom secondary complexities unfold.  The aromatics show finesse, elegance and pretty, fragrant lift.  Medium-bodied, the palate has a soft and lush, sweet core of red berry fruits along with complexing secondary dried herbs entwined with lifted red florals.  A little undergrowth and mushroom detail adds to the interest.  The fruit sweetness and richness is underlined by soft, fine-grained tannin extraction and structure, and the mouthfeel is soft and supple in texture.  The wine carries smoothly to a gentle, lingering finish.  This is a smooth, sweetly luscious Pinot Noir with savoury red fruits and dried herb notes with fragrant red florals on a supple palate." Raymond Chan, 2018.

From vines planted in 1998 and 1999, the fruit was fully destemmed and this wine was indigenous yeast fermented to 13.0% alc., aging to 16 months in 28% new oak. 2013 saw a late start, but warm November and December temperatures resulted in beautifully ripe grapes. Harvest was between 27 March and 15 April.

Food Pairing: Serve with wild duck and pork over the next 3+ years.