‘River Run’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 – 2019 is getting lots of hype as something pretty special from across the ditch, so the chance to look at a couple of cracking Pinots was not to be missed.
Chard Farm is a Central Otago fave, not least because of the rather spectacular arrival one makes. It sits above the Kawarau River, near the fabulous Kawarau Gorge. Anyone who has ever done any whitewater rafting will know of this place as one of the most thrilling, and dangerous stretches in the world (I did a bit of this when younger – much younger – and loved it, but I would not go down there, even if I knew there were opened bottles of DRC awaiting). The nearby suspension bridge was one of the very early bungy sites, but perhaps what it is most famous for is appearing in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, the first of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, as Argonath, the Pillars of the Kings (for those who are not Ring-geeks, remember that spectacular scene near the end as the Fellowship sails down the river between the giant statues as the orcs attack (they would have come south from Orcland).
I digress. Anyone with an interest in great Pinot will know full well how this region has captured the minds of Pinotphiles the world over. This latest release is cracking value at just $35. This is the more floral, more approachable of the two at the moment. Gentle and the ideal choice for earlier drinking. Raspberries, strawberries, florals and a hint of vanilla. Seamless. Good acidity carries it throughout its decent length. 92.
