2015 The Last Chance Pinot Noir

Estate-grown at Alexandra, in 'possibly the world's most southerly vineyard', the 2015 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barriques (one-third new). Invitingly perfumed, it is bright ruby, with mouthfilling body and an array of fresh, strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak. Still youthful, it's a vibrantly fruity, finely balanced, complex and ageworthy red, likely to be at its best 2019+.

As tasted for Wine Spectator article "Upwardly Mobile"  31 Aug 2017

One of three single-vineyard Pinot Noirs that Sam Neill produced in 2015 (they're not made every year). All three are excellent, but this was the one we give our highest score to, by a tiny margin, at this early stage. It has beautiful fruit – ripe, crushed red berries including cranberry – dusted with spice and aromatic herbs, and a penetrating, complex palate with a subtle mineral thrust. It arrives this month but can be ordered now.

Even ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, paler on the edge.  The nose is very refined with intensely fragrant dark-red and black cherry aromas lifted by dark-red and violet florals, complexed by subtle notes of dark herbs and whole bunch stalk nuances.  This has focus and purity with elegance.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has harmoniously interwoven flavours of dark-red and black cherry fruit lifted by red and violet florals, forming a smooth and integrated heart with dark herb and black mineral detail.  The palate is lively, vibrant and rich with fresh acidity and fruit drive providing depth and linearity.  The wine carries to an elegant, finely concentrated finish of dark-red and black fruits and herbal and mineral suggestions.  This is a finely concentrated Pinot Noir with dark-red and black fruits, fragrant florals, and herb and mineral complexities on a smooth, integrated and linear palate.  Serve with lamb, beef and venison over the next 6-8 years.  Clones 115 and 5, hand-picked and sorted, indigenous yeast fermented with one-third whole bunches to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in one-third new French oak barriques.

Attractive pinot noir that’s been made with a light touch to produce a wine with appealing purity and subtlety. Red cherry, rose petal, wet stone mineral and spicy oak flavours. Silky texture with fine peppery tannins on the finish. A wine with a strong sense of place.

Fragrant and inviting, the gorgeous bouquet shows dark cherry, blueberry, mixed spice, cedar and game characters on the nose. The palate is beautifully weighted and silky, and offers awesome fruit purity together with savoury undertones, brilliantly framed by fine tannins. The wine is generous and flavoursome, while remaining elegant and structured, and promises to evolve magnificently. A quietly spoken beauty with a steely backbone and persistence. At its best: 2018 to 2025.

Pale ruby in color with a touch of purple, the 2015 The Last Chance Pinot Noir displays notes of wild strawberries, Bing cherries and red roses with hints of chocolate and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, it fills the palate with perfumed red berry flavors supported by grainy tannins and a lively backbone, finishing with mineral notes. Drink 2016-2021