Rippon

Articles About Rippon

Reviewed Wines

2010 Rippon Emma’s Block Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $75. Imported by Station Imports, Colorado Springs, CO. Sourced from mature vines in a unique parcel within Rippon’s vineyard. The parcel is eastward facing on the lakefront with clay reefs running through schist gravels. The block is named after the great-great-great-grandmother of the current generation of the Mills family who own the winery. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Penetrating aromas of deep, dark cherries and black raspberries with hints of peat, loam and oak. Richly endowed core of earthy, dark berry fruits underlain with bright acid tension and a substantial tannic backbone, finishing with uncommon length. More savory and earthy than the Tinker’s Field bottling. Very juicy, with well-managed oak. Softer in the mouth with more appeal the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Decant if you must drink now, but more bottle aging is preferable. Score: 94. Reviewed September 5, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Rippon Tinker’s Field Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $90. Imported by Station Imports, Colorado Springs, CO. Sourced from mature vines in a unique parcel within Rippon located on a north facing slope of schist gravels. The oldest vines on the property, the block is named after Rippon’s founder, Rolfe Mills, who was known as “Tink” by his friends. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Very dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Slowly emerging aromas of warm dark berries with a loamy, briar and oak presence. Lovely, spicy, tenacious palate featuring an array of dark berries and stone fruits sporting an impressive depth and richness of flavor. Moderate, dry, ripe tannins provide structure for the long haul. Amazingly concentrated, peacock tail finish that sends you looking for superlatives. Decant or age several years in the cellar. Score: 96. Reviewed September 5, 2013 ARTICLE »

2009 Rippon Vineyard Mature Vine Lake Wanaka Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.60, 1,325 cases, 140 cases imported, $58.25, Diam closure. Vines planted 1986-1991. Clones 5, 6, 2/10, 10/5, 13, Linc, 667 and 777. Parcels fermented separately. 25% whole cluster. Aged 15 months in 30% new to 4-year-old French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish color in the glass. Expressive nose immediately upon opening with aromas of alpine strawberries, red cherries, and baking spices. A complete wine with a satisfying core of fresh red fruits, well-mannered tannins and an impressively long finish flush with cherries and nervy acidity. A classy wine that is quite enjoyable now, but has the balance to age beautifully. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 Rippon Vineyard Emma’s Block Lake Wanaka Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.62, 107 cases, 14 cases imported, $80.25, Diam closure. From a vineyard parcel with an eastward facing aspect located on the lakefront with clay reefs running through schist gravels. Named after the great-great-great-grandmother of the current generation of the Mills family through which the name Rippon entered the family. Clones 5, 6, 13 and Linc. 22% whole cluster. 21 days skin contact. Aged 17 months in 25% new to 4-year-old French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light, slightly hazy, ruby red color in the glass. The nose is alive and expressive with scents of fully ripened dark red cherries and red berries. A charming wine that is light on its feet, with ambrosial red cherry flavor, supple tannins, and a good cut of acidity on the cherry-driven finish. This feminine wine shows deft balance between richness of flavor, acidity and tannin and is a pleasure to drink. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 Rippon Vineyard Tinker’s Field Lake Wanaka Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.60, 105 cases, 14 cases imported, $99. From a unique parcel within Rippon Vineyard that contains the oldest vines on the property. Named after Rippon’s founder, Rolfe Mills, known as “Tink” to his friends. Clones 5, 6, 2/10, 10/5,13 and Linc. 35% whole cluster. Aged 15 months in 42% new to 4-year-old French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light, slightly hazy, ruby red color in the glass. A savory wine with aromas of dark red and blue fruits, exotic spices, earth, compost, and stem. A little more structured and intensely fruited than the Emma’s Block Pinot Noir, with layers of flavors including cherry, cranberry, blueberry, spice, sandalwood and the faintest oak. The acidity is crisp and well-integrated and the fine-grain tannins are ripe and sturdy. The finish is remarkable in length, like a 3-hour movie you don’t want to end. The most backward of the three 2009 Rippon Pinot Noirs, but still enough precocious tease to attract your attention. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

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. 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