Pisa Range – current release 2015 Riesling and 2020 Pinot Noir Soli Vero

08-Jul-2022

I appreciate wineries that aged their wine before releasing it to the market, showing the full potential of the wine without consumers having to invest in cellaring the wine themselves.

Pisa Range's current release of Riesling 2015 shows the hallmarks of Central Otago Riesling with bright lime, salivating acidity and crunchy minerals. After six years in bottles, it's still very youthful, showing signs of development such as dried floral, spice and cereal, savoury aromas. It's drinking excellently now and will last at its best for the next five years or more.

Another new release Soli Vero Pinot Noir 2020 - a new wine since the relocation project in 2016, the first vintage was released in 2018, sourcing fruit from the Bendigo sub-region. A broody, dark-fruited Pinot Noir represents Bendigo, beautifully balanced and elegant even with a hefty 14.5% alc.

Founded by Warick and Jenny Hawker, they were among the pioneers in planting Pinot Noir in the Pisa region of Central Otago in 1995. They have a long-standing relationship with winemaker Rudi Bauer which remains today. Sadly Jenny passed away in 2017, and daughter Sigrid Bodmin has taken over the reigns as General Manager since then, managing the business along with her father Warrick and the support from brother Andrew Hawker.

The new cellar door located at 180 State Highway 8b in Cromwell is now open from Wednesday to Sunday between 11 am to 3 pm. A 30 minutes guided wine tasting is available through their website.

Here, I review the new release 2015 Riesling and 2020 Soli Vero Pinot Noir.

https://pisarangeestate.co.nz/

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Pisa Range Estate Riesling 2015, Central Otago
  Riesling from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 05-Jul-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium yellow with a light green hue, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full, with aromas of lime, mandarin and citrus peel melded with dried floral, honey and a hint of savoury elements. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, a core of citrus fruit, lime, mandarin and peel extended by honey, dried floral, ginger and cereal; crunchy minerals draw a long line with acid tension to a savoury, crisp finish. The wine shows savoury development and complexity, supported by taut acid tension and core flow on an unctuous, chalky textured mouthfeel. This is a complex, textural, dry Riesling with a citrus, mineral core; savoury, spice development and a long chalky finish. Match with baked scallops and pancetta over the next 5 years. 100% Estate grown fruit, fermented to 12.5% alc, 2 g/l RS. 19/20 pts (95 pts) July 2022 RRP $28
• Pisa Range Estate Soli Vero Pinot Noir 2020, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 05-Jul-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep, even, ruby-red with purple hues. This has an elegant, full bouquet, penetrating black cherries, black raspberries entwined with dark herbs, earthy minerals and black pepper dusting. Medium-full bodied, aromas of black cherries and black raspberries underlined alcohol power, showing black pepper and cloves, thyme and earth. The mouthfeel is smooth with velvety tannins and a fine grip, and lacy acidity balances the alcohol power and spice, carrying to a long, poised finish. This is an elegant, bold, black-fruited Pinot Noir with earth, herb details and underlined power and spice. Match with roasted lamb and venison backstrap over the next 8+ years. Fruit sourced from Bendigo sub-region, fermented to 14.5% alc, aged in French oak barriques, one-third new oak. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) July 2022 RRP $60