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The Last Chance Pinot Noir - 2019

Tasting Notes

Spice, wild thyme and Cuban coffee bean aromatics give way to gorgeous fully textured mouthfeel showing great tension and drive. The palate is elegant and flavoursome with a long lingering mineral finish showing poise, memory and site.

About the Wine

“We grow our premium Two Paddocks Pinot Noir entirely on our four small vineyards in Central Otago. In some exceptional vintages, listening carefully, we realize that one of these sites may have something extraordinary to say in its own right. It is only then that we will make one of these very rare single vineyard wines.”

Sam Neill, Proprietor

The Last Chance is a beautifully sited two-hectare terrace perched in bright clear air above the Earnscleugh Valley, carefully planted with well-tended Burgundian clone pinot noir. It nestles amongst a small cluster of the World’s most southerly vineyards and takes its name from the watercourse that runs through its heart, hand dug by gold miners in the 1860s, The Last Chance.

Soils are raw schist gravels that are low in fertility and require careful nurturing.

 

Vintage Comments

The Two Paddocks 2019 vintage experienced above average rainfall over the Winter and early spring, meaning soil water remained at luxury levels for vines over the entire growing season. The summer heat did accumulate though and shoots grew with ease without any destructive winds. Accurate leaf removal and crop thinning meant the vines had a balanced crop load and the fruit was very clean. A noticeable benefit was the lack of wind damaged shoots and leaves which really increases the vines ability to produce energy late into the season.

Hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard on the 6th April. 74.5% whole-bunch fermentation in a 3.5 tonne wooden cuve. 5-day cold soak. Indigenous yeast added. 24 days left on skins with one plunge per day. ferment temperature peaked at 32° – post fermentation transferred to medium and light toast French barriques for 11 months maturation. 12.5% new oak and the balance in second and third fill barrels.

PH Level3.48
Total Acidity6g/l
Alcohol13%
Bottled April 2020
CellaringUp to 12 years
ViticulturistMike Wing
Total Production2202 bottles
WinemakerDean Shaw

Reviews & Awards

Wine Spectator
95 Points
"This red balances elegance and power effortlessly, opening with lavender, white truffle and sandalwood aromatics that lead to juicy black cherry and blueberry notes. The flavors gain momentum on the finish, where clove, blood orange, black tea and bittersweet chocolate accents linger on a velvety frame. Drink now through 2033." - M.W.
The NZ organic wine awards are New Zealand's only wine show dedicated to organic and biodynamic wines. The awards were founded in 2014 and continue to grow each year.
92 Points
"The 2019 Pinot Noir The Last Chance Earnscleugh Vineyard is seductive and succulent, enticing you with its soft, mouthfilling fruit. Displaying a transparent ruby hue – this is thin-skinned Pinot Noir, after all – it follows it up with layers of fragrance, from dried herbs to red cherry and cranberry. It has a structured frame of fine, mouthcoating tannins and fine acidity that blossoms like a babbling brook on the fine, savory finish, reminiscent of graphite, clove and a slightly feral gamy meat."
Bob Campbell MW
95 Points
"Bright, vibrant pinot noir with cherry, raspberry, violet, rose petal and spicy oak. It is a fragrant wine, with underlying power and obvious cellaring potential. A very good example of Alexandra pinot noir."Listed as 'Wine of the Week NZ' in the 25th April edition of the RealReview.comCellar 2022-2035
"This parcel from Earnscleugh is always elegant and fragrant and has performed well in 2020. There are light red florals of roses, some violets, wild red cherries, raspberries and a fine, spicy layer, as well as sappy elements. The palate has finely layered tannins that anchor in a central red-cherry core of flavor nicely. Fresh, elegant and drinkable, the flavors accumulate in impressive form, really moreish. Fresh acidity, too. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

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Contact Us

EMAIL
[email protected]

PHONE
+64 3 449 2756

TWO PADDOCKS LTD.
PO Box 506
Alexandra 9340
Central Otago
New Zealand

License

Sale of Liquor License Ref: OF129
Licence No. 67/OFF/30/2022
Expires 24th August 2025

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