Back in my favourite airline lounge, Wellington Air NZ Koru Club…off to Wanaka for the Rippon vineyard 100 Years on the land, 30 vintages bash – over the long weekend…and what a weekend it will be, or as Rippon folks put it, “The coolest weekend in the last 100 years…” have to say, Jo and Nick Mills are the real deal… 30 year vertical of pinit noir, BBQ on Ruby Island…cigars and hangovers for all… all work of course, I’m only going out of professional courtesy and to write a story for Robert Parker and Wandering Palate, it will be hard work, and we take our work very seriously…even if my wife remains unconvinced!

The Wandering Palate has penned a bit on Rippon, check out http://www.thewanderingpalate.com/must-have-wines/must-have-wine-red-wine-of-the-lunar-year-dragon-rippon-mature-vines-point-noir-2009-%E2%80%93-wanaka-central-otago-new-zealand/

Admittedly my predilection for pinot noir is perhaps a prejudice in my choice of ‘Red Wine of the Year’ and this sneak preview of my annual retrospective of wine highlights, the Year of the Dragon – 2012. However, the irrefutable fact is, Rippon Mature Vines Pinot Noir 2009 was the most profoundly complex, texturally sensual and incredibly drinkable wine I encountered all year; a wine of extraordinary charm and approachability even it its youth. And I will go further and declare it is the most impressive current release New World pinot noir I have ever had – period. Read More >