"Opulent and lavish, while remaining sophisticated and refined, this compelling pinot shows impressive dark fruit intensity together with nuances of cake spice, cedar, olive and truffle on the nose, leading to a concentrated palate that is seamless and flowing. Superbly balanced and harmonious, this is flatteringly classy and hugely appealing. At its best: now to 2025" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Sept 2018

"Quite an intense and age-worthy pinot noir with layers of ripe plum, dark cherry, cocoa powder, violet and floral characters. The wine has an appealing soft texture and though it is deliciously accessible it hints of hidden depths" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Oct 2018

Dark fruit and spice on the nose while the palate is tightly wrapped with boysenberry and chocolate notes. The finish is long and supported by fine tannins and oak spice.
Each single vineyard wine Matt Connell produces is an attempt to give a voice to the unique terroir and nuance of character and above all his love and commitment to Central Otago. Both gold and grapes from the schist-dominated soils of Bendigo have always been hard won yet the resulting pleasures many-folding and enduring. This 2017 vintage of the Bendigo Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is no exception to this rule.

This wine was hand harvested before being 100% destemmed. Then sent to tank then cold soaked for 4 days to build colour and flavour intensity. The must was inoculated with both wild yeast and cultures selected for their ability to add complexity. Fermentation lasted 19 days with a peak temperature of 32 degrees. 4 days of post fermentation maceration followed which allowed tannins to build structure and balance then the wine pressed off the skins to tank.  Following settling the wine was racked to French barriques; 33% being new. Malolactic fermentation in barrel was followed by maturation in oak for ten months in oak before being racked, blended and bottled