Rippon

Articles About Rippon

Reviewed Wines

2008 Rippon Vineyard Hotere White Wine Lake Wanaka Central Otago Osteiner

11.0% alc., $14, screw cap. Osteiner is a variety born of Riesling and Sylvaner, planted at Rippon since the earliest days. Imported by Station Imports, Colorado Springs, Colorado. · Very pale straw color in the glass. Aromas of petrol (not a defect) and old book. Delicate flavors of tropical citrus, lemon and white peach with a noticeable petrol presence. A unique wine with tight, vibrant acidity, soft and light in the mouth, with a very dry finish. Would be excellent with white fish or shellfish. Good (+). Reviewed November 2, 2011 ARTICLE »

2008 Rippon Mature Vine Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.60, 1,989 cases, (224 cases USA allocation), $54, Diam. Released June 1, 2010. Clones 5, 6, 2/10, 10/5, 12, Lincoln. 27% whole clusters. Aged 10 months in 30% new to 4-year-old French oak barrels and aged over a second winter in neutral barrels (a total of 17 months in barrel). Unfined and unfiltered. · Charming aromas of dark stone fruits and berries, exotic woods and subtle oak spice. Moderately rich and mouth filling essence of dark grapes and berries with a hint of spice and minerals. Soft and satiny leaving a satisfying impression on the generous and lively finish. The most forward of the three 2008 Rippon Pinot Noirs tasted and quite showy for this vineyard. Very good (+). Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »

2008 Emma’s Block Mature Vine Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.60, 12 cases USA allocation, $74, Diam. Clones 5, 6, 13 and Lincoln. 23% whole clusters. Aged 10 months in 22% new to 4-year-old French oak barrels, then racked an aged a second winter in neutral barrels (a total of 17 months in barrel). Unfined and unfiltered. · Shy but very pleasing scent of dark fruits, dried rose petals and leather gathering intensity with time in the glass. Delicious mouthful of dark red cherries and berries. Very crisp and juicy with fine proportioned tannins and a silky follow through. Tremendous up side potential here. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »

2008 Rippon Tinker’s Field Mature Vine Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.60, 12 cases USA allocation, $92, Diam. Clones 5, 6, 2/10, 10/5, 13 and Lincoln. 40% whole cluster. Aged 10 months in 35% new to 4-year-old French oak barrels. Racked after MLF and allowed a second winter in neutral barrels (a total of 17 months in barrel). Unfined and unfiltered. · This wine smells of the outdoors with scents of wooded forest, wet leaves, darkly colored berry jam and a hint of oak. Very tasty attack of dark cherry and berry fruit and cherry skins, all with a subtle earthiness. Moderately rich with fine-grain polished tannins, a welcoming tug of acidity, and impressive persistence on the bold finish. The wine glides across the palate with a dreamy silkiness. Hard to put this wine into words: suffice it to say you know it when you experience it. Great later in the day after opening. A New Zealand old vine Pinot Noir epiphany. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 Rippon Lake Wanaka Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $50, Diam closure. Mature vines. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Imported by Station Imports, Colorado Springs, Colorado. · Immature aromas of black cherries, green olive and seasoned oak. Crisp and juicy black cherry core with a pleasing grip of acidity and minerality on the finish. Still needs to shed substantial tannins. If you drink now, decant, or better yet, cellar for a year or two at least. A little more luscious than usual for Rippon Pinot Noir. A stellar wine that is Very good. Reviewed December 16, 2009 ARTICLE »

2006 Rippon Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $50, Diam closure. From a biodynamically-farmed vineyard. The proprietor and winemaker is Nick Mills. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · I have nothing but superlatives for this wine which is filled with grace and vibrancy. Lovely strawberry and cherry fruit with a hint of spice supported by fine-grain tannins and crisp acidity. Elegant and refined with a smooth and velvety texture. Very Chambollesque. At 13% alcohol you can drink this comfortably with a good meal. The best Pinot Noir yet from Rippon. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Rippon Vineyard Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir

This wine comes from the most photographed vineyard in the world, Rippon Vineyard on the western shores of Lake Wanaka. The property has been in the Mills family for four generations and current winemaker Nick Mills is crafting superb Pinot Noir reflective of his extensive training in Burgundy. (Imported by Station Imports in Colorado Springs, CO, 719-633-2184). · More restrained and reserved than many heavily-oaked and strongly-fruited Central Otago Pinot Noirs, this is a classy wine that will have a wide fan base. Pure red Pinot fruits, nicely spiced and set off by brisk acidity, this is a food wine that has a long life ahead of it. Reviewed March 23, 2008 ARTICLE »

2005 Rippon Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir

Killer nose of black cherry, blackberry and spearmint. Dark in color, but elegant in presentation. Precise and focused fruit with a lovely silky texture and perfect balance. Beautifully crafted for the dinner table. Reviewed March 23, 2008 ARTICLE »

2005 Rippon Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., $45. · Well spiced cherries with an edge. On the palate the wine has good grip with mediumweighted flavors of red cherries, baking spices, and a hint of oak. Very tame tannins. Excellent persistence on the finish which features a citric cherry tang. This wine will find many fans for its modest alcohol and food-friendly zippy acidity. Reviewed October 13, 2008 ARTICLE »

2004 Rippon Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir

Aromas of red cherries and brown sugar. flavors of red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate with a bit of herbs. Refreshingly brisk acidity. Reviewed March 23, 2008 ARTICLE »

2004 Rippon Central Otago Pinot Noir

13% alc., $36. Imported by Station Imports, Colorado Springs, CO. Nicholas Mills, son of founder Rolfe and Lois Mills, is now the winemaker here and several other family members run this winery. Nicholas spent four years living in France studying viticulture and winemaking in Burgundy and Alsace. He worked for and was mentored by Alain et Sophie Meunier from Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron, Nicolas Potel of Maison Nicolas Potel, Pascal Marchand of Domaine Vougeraie de Beauclair, and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. Upon returning to the family vineyard in 2002, Nicholas instituted biodynamic farming with no herbicides. The vineyard, along the shores of Lake Wanaka and probably the most photographed in the world, is non-irrigated and virtually all on it’s own roots. · Light in color. Sensual perfume of cherry, toast and spice. Sappy red fruits kissed by cinnamon spice, velvety tannins and a clean finish with admirable length. Elegance personified. A complete wine. The website is www.rippon.co.nz. Reviewed October 14, 2007 ARTICLE »

2003 Rippon

13.5% alc., $35. Fermented with indigenous yeast and aged 18 months in 25% new French oak barrels. This is the first wine made at Rippon by Nicholas Mills and his team. · The wine is still slightly closed and would benefit from decanting. The style is similar to the 2001 vintage, but there is more of everything - more delicate red fruits, more spice including cinnamon, and more layers of flavor. The mouth feel is sleek and sexy. This is a balanced wine of great potential that will age magnificently. Reviewed April 16, 2006

2001 Rippon Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $33. · Light in color. The delicate nose offers soft red fruits and a hint of orange rind. On the palate, the delicate red fruits are enhanced with minerals, spice and herbs and the whole package finishes fresh and clean. An elegantly styled wine with great charm. Reviewed April 16, 2006

1995 Rippon Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir

13.0% alc.. · This Pinot has an aged mahogany color. A slightly funky nose brims with ripe cherries and toast. There is a touch of mocha and forest floor among the copious red fruits. The tannins have totally integrated into a silken texture. Probably a little Brett here, but it adds to the appeal. A real treat. Reviewed April 16, 2006