Picnic Wine

2008 Picnic Pinot Noir

The label shows the proprietor's grandparents picnicking at Karitane Beach, Otago circa 1919. The jovial chap with a pipe is Sidney Neill, importer of French wines, among other things. The poor little blighter in the Toulouse-Latrec tie is Dermot Neill, then aged 4 years. Also in the foreground is Gwladys Neill, formidable matriarch and avid picnicker. In the background and weighing 20 lbs Gertrude Elworthy (nee Neill), the proprietor's esteemed aunt.

Once again our perennial favorite – the wine we enjoy everyday! With fruit sourced from Two Paddock’s three vineyards and supplemented with fruit from throughout the greater Central Otago region, our
Picnic Pinot Noir 2008 is made in a diminutive style suggesting approachability and value for money, although our winemaker advises enjoy in moderation! As in previous vintages, it’s already racing out the Cellar Door.

Winemaker’s Notes: Brambles, cherries, with hints of coffee and mocha in the mid palate with savory undertones, this wine shows good length and depth in its youth and will develop more complexity with bottle age.

Vintage Comments: As usual the 2008 vintage provided its fair share of challenges, the most notable being early frosts in Gibbston and late frosts in the Alexandra basin. But on the whole it pretty good season with excellent fruit set followed by near perfect weather during the growing season. This is undoubtly our biggest crop to date which in time will give us a classic Central Otago Pinot – elegant, complex and well structured full of the typical spice and fruit.

Winemaker: Dean Shaw – Central Otago Wine Company

Viticulturalist: Richard Flatman

Bottled: 24 – 26 June 2009

Cases Produced: 4995

Exported to: Australia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ontario, United States

Release Date: October 2009

Cellaring: 2009 – 2016

Reviews:

84 It's earthy and savoury on the nose displaying game, spice and dark plum characters. The medium-bodied palate is well fruited showing soft texture, bright acidity and a gently drying finish. At its best: now to 2011.
-- October 2009, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

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One of the better "cheaper'' labels from Central, this has savoury undertones, earthy suggestions of bush tracks, and ripe fruit hinting of plums and cherries. Simple but very drinkable. Good value. -- March 17, 2010, Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times

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... showed a transparent ruby hue in the sunlight. A wine with savoury earthy aromas, concentrated black cherry fruit and a ripe vinous complexity, it has rich cherry fruit, smoke, herbs and raspberry sweetness to the savoury finish. A medium-bodied style with stylish French oak in harmony and an elegant touch. -- 2 August 201o, Sue Courtney, Wine of the Week (wineoftheweek.com)

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89/100 -- A blend of fruit from all the Two Paddock’s vineyards and other parts of Central Otago. The nose is spicy with bits of carrot top and black cherry fruit. On the palate it is smooth and sleek with spicy, savoury black cherry fruit character. Impressive styling and weight for the price. Perfect with most fowl dishes. Last Tasted: 2010-12-18 by AG-ST. -- 18 December 2010, www.gismondionwine.com

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Yes, yes, I know, the name suggests spring/summer rather than dark winter evening drinking (as does the very summer photo!). But then this wine is so vibrant, delicious and versatile that I’d be happy having it any time of the year. Dense and juicy – it’s like that gorgeous waft of fruit you get when you take the top off a blender after making a red berry smoothie. Bursting with life, fresh and crisp but also generous and round on the palate. A great example of a NZ Pinot Noir, and yikes, this isn’t cheap it’s true, but there’s enough going on to make it worth that extra price. Wine Rating: £15.60, Haynes, Hanson & Clark, 90/100. -- January 2012, Jane Parkinson, janeparkinson.com