Bald Hills

21-Jul-2020

Bald Hills-Pano - Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

Bald Hills is a boutique vineyard in Bannockburn, Central Otago with 6.5 hectares in Pinot Noir and 1 hectare each in Riesling and Pinot Gris, the Bald Hills vineyard. The first plantings began in Spring 1997.

Pip Battley has recently joined the Bald Hill team as Winemaker after assisting Peter Bartle since 2017. Prior to Pip, their winemakers were Peter Bartle (2011-2019), Grant Taylor (2001 – 2010) and Christopher Keys (2009 – 2010).

www.baldhills.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Bald Hills Last Light Single Vineyard Riesling 2017, Central Otago
Riesling from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 16-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light yellow colour with a golden-green hue. The bouquet is voluminous with intense aromas of citrus, lime and grapefruit, flash and zest; melded with lime flower, kerosene nuances, underlying crushed rocks minerality. The palate is expressive with breadth, medium-bodied. Off-dry style, there's an oily mouthfeel rounding out sharp lime and grapefruit flavours; unveiling honeysuckle, lime blossom; with electric acidity flows with crushed rocks mineral element, underlying white pepper spices lingering to a long and refreshing finish. This is a satisfying Central Otago Riesling with good concentration, showing classic lime and mineral detail, accompanied by attractive blossoms and spices on an electric acidity flow with crunchy minerals and a soft mouthfeel. Match with pork belly and mussels over the next 5 years. Whole bunch pressed to tank, fermented to 11.8% alc, 20.8g/l RS. 18.5+/20pts June 2020 RRP $30
Bald Hills Kirameki Pinot Gris 2017, Central Otago
Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 16-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light yellow even throughout. The nose is softly intense with fragrances of ripened pear, melon; entwined with white blossoms, honey and spice on an acid lime-mineral note. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, full on the palate with flavours of melon, pear and lime; along with blossoms and honeyed notes, enlivened by some spices. The acidity is fresh, mouthwatering, carries the flavours with good energy, flows to a slightly phenolic texture line with a note of pollen and a voluminous finish. The wine is expressive and voluminous with mouthwatering acidity and a full-flavoured palate along with delicate floral detail and spices. Match with pork and poultry over the next 2-4 years. Whole bunch pressed, fermented in tanks to 14.1%, 4.9g/l RS. 18/20 pts June 2020 RRP $30
Bald Hills Friends & Lovers Rosé 2019, Central Otago
Rosé from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 16-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light peach-pink, youthful, even colour throughout. The nose is fresh with softly full aromas of strawberries, raspberries, peaches and watermelon, unfolding deep floral, rose petals. Dry to taste, medium-bodied, the palate has intense and concentrated flavours of watermelon, peaches, strawberries, raspberries rose petals and subtle spices. The mouthfeel is soft and rounded with crisp and lacy acidity; the wine flows with good drive to a soft, fine-textured line; leading to a fruity finish on a refreshing palate. Match with venison salamis and charcuterie over the next 2 years. 100% Pinot Noir, clone Abel and 115, fermented in tanks to 13.5% alc, 5g/l RS. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $30
Bald Hills 3 Acres Pinot Noir 2017, Central Otago
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 16-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark, medium ruby-red colour, lighter on the rim with a tinge of purple. The nose is gently fragranced with softly intense aromas of black and red cherries, raspberries, green herbs, subtle savoury notes and underlying crushed rocks minerals. Medium-full bodied, the palate is fragranced and concentrated, exhibiting aromas of deep red florals, black and red cherries, raspberries; melded with fresh-cut herbs, liquorice and oak spices. There is a subtle savouriness entwined with the crushed rocks minerals. The mouthfeel is smooth with a fine-grained tannin extraction, flows with balanced acidity leaves the palate a dusty fine-textured line. The wine is complex with multi-layer of interests, good concentration and mineral textural mouthfeel. Match with lamb and pork over the next 3-5 years. Clone 10/5 and 115, fermented to 13.8% alc. Aged in French oak barriques for 12 months, 28% new oak. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $32
Bald Hills Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016, Central Otago
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 16-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light ruby-red with depth, even colour throughout. The nose is elegant and fragranced with red florals and soft red berries, red cherries melded with earth and oak spices. There is a discreet undertone of gamey development. Medium-bodied, the palate is poise with red cherries, raspberries and red florals; gamey development is subtle and unobtrusive, adding savoury detail. The mouthfeel is silky and firm with softly extracted fine-grained tannin structure, which has been mellowed with time. Lively acidity lifted the palate to an elegant finish with oak spices element. This is an elegant, fine-detailed Pinot Noir with red fruit characters built on lively acidity and finely extracted tannin structure, showing subtle gamey development. Will reward from decanting. Match with duck and mushrooms over the next 4-5 years. A mix of clones, 5, 6, 10/5, Abel and 115, 4% whole bunch, fermented to 13% alc. Aged in French oak barriques for 12 months, 33% new oak. 18.5+/20 pts June 2020 RRP $46

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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