12 April 2000, Otago Daily Times

GOOD PINOT NOIR AT A PALATABLE PRICE

By Charmian Smith

 Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile red wines. At its best, charming with an underlying strength and hinting of cherries and mushrooms, it goes well with a huge range of food. However, fine Pinot Noir has always been expensive and often been over priced. Now, as new plantings come on stream, more reasonably priced bottles are emerging on the shelves. ...

Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 1998

(about $32) is the second vintage from Sam Neill's vineyards, and still in very short supply. As more vines come into production, larger quantities should be available from 1999 on. This shows typically Central Otago cherry-plum fruit with a hint of sappiness, but also concentration, length and a fine texture. It developed more charm with being open a day, indicating it will develop with bottle age--something Neill has often said about Central Otago Pinot. ***½ .