Wines of Quartz Reef, Central Otago

(2020) 72% Pinot and 28% Chardonnay, this traditional method sparkling wine spent two years on the lees. Quite a golden glowing colour, and a nice note of custardy richness before a great slicing apple and lemon thrust of fruit and a fine herbal note coming through to add edge and interest.

(2020) All Pinot Noir, and with only 3g/l of residual sugar, this dry pink sparkling wine spent 28 months on the lees. A little herbal note to this, with attractive florals and strawberry, the palate lovely and gives an impression of sweetness, though that's the intrinsic fruit sweetness which carries to the end, balancing the acidity. No UK retail stockist listed at time of review.

(2020) It's taken Rudi a while to feel sure the signature grape of his native homeland was performing well enough to bottle as a single varietal. Lovely touch of pepper, then very bright, focused and crunchy pear, elegant and mineral salty acidity, with fleshy weight of fruit but excellent acid balance. A fine Gru-V. No UK retail stockist at time of review.

(2020) Nice herbal nose, with richness and creaminess coming through in the aroma, and texture, the super sweet fruit of apricot and yellow plum, but striking pithy grapefruit acidity. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) Sharp, fresh, an extra edge of definition over the 2018, with the ripe pear and stone fruit, but has more clarity and a real bit of bite, long and herbal notes following.

(2020) The barrel influence here gives crushed almond and oatmeal, but a great thrust of fruit, bursting with punchy grapefruit, a hint of flintiness and such lovely sweet fruit through to the finish. No UK retail stockists at time of review.

(2020) Cherries and clove in abundance, a pulpy strawberry touch and also a little herbal and briar note that is balancing and pleasing. Long, fruity, but with that little development time in bottle adding spice and chocolate depth. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) More on the mushroom and truffle side, with some clove and herbal notes, lovely character. Made from an every changing selection of fruit from the most interesting parcels each year. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) From the Bendigo vineyard planted in 1998, an almost a toffee apple note to this, rosy apples an caramel, has chocolate and soft autumnal berries to the fruit. A really pure fruit expression, taut acidity and the tannins are smooth and creamy, very polished. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) Nutty and truffley, a little chestnut character. Such sweet fruit on the palate - sings across the tongue, lovely sweet and pure fleshy fruit. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) Extra aromatic lift to this, with a juicy character, lots of creaminess but the fruit and the truffle sings through on the palate. Spice and chocolate to the tannins in the finish. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) Lots of dry twigs and cranberries here, more herbal character, but very good red fruit. Cool, juicy red berries, and again the chocolate tannins show through. Long. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) Moe aromatic, red berries, but a higher rofile, emphasised spices and floral notes, and real juiciness and cherry skin intensty. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) From the same source, block 12, of the Bendigo vineyard as the Franz Ferdinand.  Nutty, chewy, the oak a little more resinous at the moment but will settle down. The fruit is delicious on the palate, really pure and taut, with an extra ounce of depth and natural concentration. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) Lovely herbal stuff, has nuttiness and elegant perfume beginnng to develop, some meatiness. Plush and creamy, has plenty of fruit and will developed very nicely. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.

(2020) Fine meaty, meat-stock aromas, but not stewed, nuts and seeds and firm red cherry and red plum fruit. Immense fruit sweetness and concentration. Will age very gracefully I suspect. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review

(2020) A treat to taste an older vintage. Truffle and coffee, a gamy note has developed, featherweight stuff. Truffles and game on the palate, absolutely delicious length, but in peak condition the red fruit still at the core. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.