Considered by many as one of the world’s greatest authorities on wine, it was a great honour to have Gerard Basset visit and taste all vintages of Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir recently.
Famous French-born UK sommelier Gerard Basset is the World’s Best Sommelier 2010, the most hotly contested sommelier title in the world and chairman of the Regional France panel for the Decanter World Wine Awards. Gerard is the only person in the world to hold all three qualifications, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier and MBA (Wine) and was recently awarded the OBE.
Although Gerard last visited Central Otago in 2003 this was the first time he had the opportunity to visit the small Alexandra winegrowing sub-region.
After tasting Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Gerard’s overall assessment was “delicious wines”.
On the 2006 vintage, which is the first vintage from three year old vines, Gerard’s rating was 92/100 points. Neal Martin of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate also rated this wine 92/100 points back in February 2008. This is exciting feedback coming from Gerard with his worldly knowledge. If a first vintage Grasshopper Rock can hold up like this it gives us great confidence in the aging of later vintages.
While Gerard was at the vineyard I asked him for some brief comment about Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir.
Thank your Gerard. It was a privilege to host you and maybe one day Grasshopper Rock will be at Gerard and Nina’s luxury boutique Hotel Terravina
Famous French-born UK sommelier Gerard Basset is the World’s Best Sommelier 2010, the most hotly contested sommelier title in the world and chairman of the Regional France panel for the Decanter World Wine Awards. Gerard is the only person in the world to hold all three qualifications, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier and MBA (Wine) and was recently awarded the OBE.
Although Gerard last visited Central Otago in 2003 this was the first time he had the opportunity to visit the small Alexandra winegrowing sub-region.
After tasting Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Gerard’s overall assessment was “delicious wines”.
On the 2006 vintage, which is the first vintage from three year old vines, Gerard’s rating was 92/100 points. Neal Martin of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate also rated this wine 92/100 points back in February 2008. This is exciting feedback coming from Gerard with his worldly knowledge. If a first vintage Grasshopper Rock can hold up like this it gives us great confidence in the aging of later vintages.
While Gerard was at the vineyard I asked him for some brief comment about Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir.
Thank your Gerard. It was a privilege to host you and maybe one day Grasshopper Rock will be at Gerard and Nina’s luxury boutique Hotel Terravina