TWO PADDOCKS | Pinot Noir | 2021
pinot noir

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Sam Neill had a dream: to produce some of the greatest wines imaginable. All modesty aside, he decided that there is no place for modesty in his family-owned company, and therefore the resulting wines are so much better than that. Having said all that, they don’t take themselves at all seriously – the seriousness they leave to their very serious wines.

Today we are going to review another single-varietal pinot noir wine, but this time one from the distant lands of New Zealand – Pinot Noir 2021 by Two Paddocks – a winemaker that is utterly obsessed with pinot noir, quality and authenticity. Pinot Noir has reached a legendary status over the last decades and today it is the most sought-after red wine in the world. The grape itself is quite vulnerable, suffering from a multitude of diseases and its genetics make it highly susceptible to mutation. But despite all the difficulty to grow pinot noir, when treated with utmost care, it is capable of producing the very best expressions of terrior. The Two Paddocks estate is made up of four organic vineyards, scattered around Central Otago – the southernmost wine region in New Zealand and possibly the whole wine world. The wine we are reviewing today is a harmonious blend of pinot noir grapes, sourced from the domain’s four organic vineyards: The Fusilier (35%), The Last Chance (28%), The First Paddock (25%) and The Red Bank (12%). This pinot noir blend is nothing less than bottled art, as it was designed by the synergy of nature and human passion, hand crafted using traditional methods including whole bunch (25%), indigenous fermentation and hand plunging, with most of the wine (80%) aged in used french barriques, in order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the pinot noir grapes, while the other part (20%) aged for 10 months in new oak, in order to gain extra structure and complexity. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: medium-deep garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & herbal
fruit character: ripe & underripe

On the first nose, this wine unveils a ripe and underripe fruit character, showcasing an intriguing interplay between the two spectrums. The foreground is dominated by vibrant notes of redcurrants, cranberries and sour cherries, supported by nuanced herbal undertones, offering a medley of wormwood, tomato leaf and dried thyme, that enhances the overall aromatic complexity. In the background, the wine reveals a savory character with subtle earthy hints, reminiscent of brown olive, clay and some hints of loam.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium | balance: good
finish: medium | aftertaste: bitter-seedy

On the palate, this wine presents a dynamic spectrum of underripe to ripe fruits, unveiling a delightful fusion of red fruits, savory elements and hints of dried herbs. The mouthfeel is characterized by crisp acidity that enlivens the palate, supported by seedy-green tannins that contribute to a structured mouthfeel and a touch of alcoholic warmth that adds depth without overshadowing the vibrant fruit character of the wine. The aftertaste is marked by a pleasantly, bitter-seedy finish, creating an intriguing finale.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 or 3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, this is an ample and voluptuous wine, showcasing good varietal typicity of the pinot noir grapes. The feels slightly angular and a bit rough on the mouthfeel, a feeling that contributes to its overall character still, in its current state, the wine lacks a bit of finesse and elegance on the palate. Despite its slight angularity, this wine provides a satisfying tasting experience, suggesting the some potential for improvement with additional bottle aging.

//Scoring
TWO PADDOCKS | Pinot Noir | 2021
variety: pinot noir
country: New Zealand
region: Central Otago
rating: 93.5
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This is definitely a fine wine of New Zealand and, with a total of 93.5 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Judging by the wine’s complex and rich flavor profile, we would recommend to pair it with a grilled venison loin with juniper berries and wild mushrooms. The wine’s firm structure, along with its ripe and underripe red fruit flavors, will harmonize beautifully with the gamey elements of the dish. The subtle herbal and earthy undertones in the wine will complement the earthy flavors of the wild mushrooms, while the bitter-seedy aftertaste and crisp acidity will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and tender venison. This pairing will create a culinary experience that celebrates the wine’s terroir-driven character and elevates the dining experience to new levels of hedonistic complexity. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.