Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir Central Otago GI

Central Otago GI, New Zealand

New Zealand's most age-worthy Pinot Noir — from Rippon's 40+ year-old lakeside vines on schist soils above Lake Wanaka. Indigenous yeast, whole-cluster fermented, aged 18 months in old French oak. Deep ruby; concentrated dried cherry, violet, Lake Wanaka mineral, forest floor, and an extraordinary textural richness from the mature vines. At once powerful and ethereal. Age-worthy for 20+ years.

Pairing intelligence

• main: The wine's concentrated cherry and wild mineral depth is the definitive companion for duck confit; kumara (sweet potato) purée's sweetness bridges the wine's dark fruit while contrasting with the duck fat.
• main: Rippon's schist-mineral depth and mature-vine concentration is the supreme New Zealand expression of the classic Pinot-lamb pairing; the Wanaka herb jus creates regional completeness.