Awards
GOLD - Bragato Wine Awards 2011
GOLD - Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition 2010
BLUE-GOLD and TOP100 - Sydney International Wine Competition 2011
SILVER - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2011
SILVER - London International Wine and Spirits Competition 2010
SILVER - International Wine Challenge 2011
Reviews
Raymond Chan - Mar 2011 18.5-/20.0, 5 STARS * * * * *
Very dark, deep, black hued ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues, this has a very full, richly ripe nose of concentrated earthy, dark berry fruits, revealing layers with game and ink. Full, dense, weighty and concentrated, this has plenty of juiciness to the ripe dark cherry, berry and plum fruits. The tannins are firm, but fine and supple, the mouthfeel quite rounded. There is a slipperiness from the acidity. Drink with roasted game meat over the next 5-7 years. (Note: Raymond Chan was paid a review fee of less than $40 to review this wine) www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
Geoff Kelly – Sep 2010 18.0 /20.0, 4 STARS
Pinot Noir ruby. In its light fragrant but highly varietal style, this wine reminded me of the 2008 Martinborough Vineyard wine from Pinot Noir 2010. There are sweet florals spanning from buddleia to darker roses, on red cherry fruit. Palate is a little lighter and fresher than the bouquet promised, but cellaring the wine will produce a pinot confuseable with some Cote de Nuits wines – even at premier cru level. Real promise here, to cellar 3 – 8 years. www.geoffkellywinereviews.co.nz
Geoff Kelly - Re-tasted June 2011 18.0/20.0, 4 STARS * * * *
Pinot Noir ruby. Bouquest is red cherry fragrant, clearly varietal, in a much more Cote de Beaune than Cote de Nuits styling, appealing. Palate follows exactly, not dark Otago pinot noir at all, but still attractive crunch burgundian cherry fruit, freshened by a trace of coolness as seen in the (Felton Road) Cornish Point wine. Cellar 3-8 years. This is gorgeous ! www.geoffkellywinereviews.co.nz
Geoff Kelly - Aug 2011 – From an article on "Worth Cellaring"
The most beautiful pinot offering the best value I can suggest is 2009 Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir. The fragrant red-fruits bouquet of this Alexandra pinot is straight out of the Cote de Beaune, and the whole wine is a delight to drink even now. It will cellar 3 – 8 years, depending on the stage of maturity referred. http://regionalwines.co.nz/wine-content.aspx/worth-cellaring
Nick Stock, Gourmet Traveller WINE, – Dec 2010
Mid-cherry colour with plenty of delightful violet florals, some sappy elements, dark cherry and blue fruits, cola and a gentle dose of oak spice – really charming stuff. The palate is smoothly laid out with plenty of ripe fruit and a smooth velvet-like tannin glide. Round and supple, light tannins and nice acid balance. Best Alexandra 2009 Pinot Noir – Nick Stock, Gourmet Traveller WINE Feb/Mar 2011
Pinot Unearthered Review– Dec 2010. Rating 18.75/20.0 www.pinotunearthed.com.au
Ben Edwards
Bright colour; crystalline red and dark plum fruit bouquet, with licorice, ironstone and some fresh leather complexity; the palate is vibrant, lively, fleshy and fine boned, with a glorious core of bright red fruit, merely accentuated by the super fine tannin and plush, velvety texture; long and succulent.
Chris Crawford
Brightly coloured, vivid; some barrel ferment notes with smoked meats and a herbal undercurrent; layered with a briary edge, interesting and draws you in; concentrated syrupy entry with a powerhouse of fruit; intense and opulent; stunning core of fruit with line and length; rich and intense, this wine has massive crowd appeal, delicious.
Dan Sims
Bright, dark and vibrant purple in colour; complex and layered aromas of rich, ripe and vibrant essence plum and dark cherry mixed with oak spice and lift adding intrigue; the palate reciprocates adding drive and focus to the fruit that is expansive, textured and generous; there is oak here, yes, but oh so seductively so.
Sam Kim - May 2011 93/100, 5 STARS * * * * * www.wineorbit.co.nz
Grasshopper Rock have quickly established a great name in New Zealand Pinot Noir with a succession of outstanding vintages. This is another beautifully framed wine showing dark cherry, spicy oak, dried herb and game characters on the nose. The palate is succulent and silky smooth with lovely roundness and a lingering dry finish, provided by fine-grained tannins. Grapes were grown on their Earnscleugh vineyard in the Alexandra district. At its best: now to 2015. (Note: Sam Kim was paid a review fee of less than $40 to review this wine)
The Wine Advocate #197 - 90+/100 Lisa Perroti-Brown Oct 2011
Ruby colored, the 2009 Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot Noir reveals slightly closed raspberry and red cherry notes over aromas of damp earth, dried leaves and cinnamon stick. Elegantly fruited in the mouth with a medium body, it has medium level velvety tannins, refreshing acidity and plenty of red berry fruit lingering long into the finish. Drink it now to 2016.
Independent Wine Monthly - Emma Jenkins MW and Jane Skilton MW – July 2011
www.independentwinemonthly.co.nz
Since the inaugural 2006 vintage it has been a pleasure to chart this wine’s evolution and watch its finesse and intensity increase. The 2009 vintage offers an abundance of fruit, predominantly raspberry and dark cherry, seasoned with light cedery oak and a delicious undercurrent of earth and spice. The ripe rich fruit is nicely cut through with fresh acidity and the palate offers a decent silky texture and nice sappy finish. Clearly Central Otago in character, but mercifully more than just a sweet-fruited blockbuster, Grasshopper Rock is reaping the rewards of careful site selection and a clear vision and focus (they produce only pinot).18.0/20.0
Marlborough Express – Peter Morice/Deborah Walton-Derry – July 2011 http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/lifestyle/wine/5282711/Winemaking-flourishes-in-climate-of-extremes
Crimson with a touch of garnet – lovely depth of colour in the glass. The aroma is rich, inviting blend of blackberry-fruit, cocoa and smoke. Herbal, fruity with some liquorice and red barrel notes add exceptional interest. The palate is full of sweet, ripe fruit – plum and spice flavours that are son rich they take on a Christmas cake depth of flavour. Firm tannins and a dash of herbal briskness keep the palate clean and balanced. The drying porty finish and long aftertaste round out this weighty, attractive wine. A big wine with cellaring potential.
NZ Herald – Jo Burzynska – Sep 2011
Another delicious vintage of pinot from this boutique Central Otago producer, this is full of intense, ripe and tangy dark cherry fruit with a seasoning of roasted spice.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10749994
Cuisine – Nov 2011 - 4 STARS
A viticulturally favoured corner of Alexandra Basin has delivered this pure racy pinot. It offers appealing bayleaf and red fruit scents followed by real flow and presence in the mouth. Panel members used words such as "integrity" and "correct" to describe its sound, pristine fruit.
International Wine and Spirits Competition – London 2010 – Judges comments
Medium depth of cherry red colour. Ripe sweet red berry fruit, fresh beetroot and dried herbs. Nice burst of fruit on the tongue, followed by some dusty, earthy tannins and a lift of fresh acidity to finish. Good length – Silver Medal London IWSC Oct 2010
Sydney International Wine Competion -2011 -Judges comments:
Blue-Gold Medal and Top100 wine. Tasted with Squab Breasts on Mushroom Tartlets. www.top100wines.com
Rob Geddes MW
Fine perfumed floral fruit with fine red flowers and raspberry. Very appealing and elegant. The palate had good acidity, good tannin freshness and plenty of flavour. It needed food to bring the best out in it. It had great oak, good fruit, good length of palate. With food it was nearly impossible to spit out and so it was marked up.
Mark Robertson
A stunner! Vibrant, ripe, aniseed, chocolate and cherry. A very, very good nose. Pure and lifted. The palate was wonderful, silky, purposeful fruit driven. The wine had beautiful length which is something we are always looking for. Pure. With food it was good but not round. It came across as being a bit sweeter or just slightly blowsy but still a very good wine. One of the better wines in the category.
Ken Dobler
Medium brick red colour. A lovely sappy vegetal nose. The palate showing generous fruit with complex stalky tannins. Combined with the food, the stalky tannins became more obtrusive.
Kym Milne MW
Good fruit. Complex fruit and forest floor aromas. Elegant palate with vibrant fruit. Finishes slightly dry. It was enhanced with the food. Quite an elegant style, non competing with the food.
Oliver Masters
Dark cola, reductive spice barrel ferment aromas with a rich, dark, focused, tight palate. Slightly hard on the palate but maybe there was a better wine under there. It stayed a little bit hot and hard with the food.
Brent Marris
A lovely complex nose. This complexity followed through to the palate. Good fruit drive. Balanced, ripe tannins. A good combination with the food. Length and weight. The dish gave it more spiciness on the palate and I thought it was a very good combination.
GOLD - Bragato Wine Awards 2011
GOLD - Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition 2010
BLUE-GOLD and TOP100 - Sydney International Wine Competition 2011
SILVER - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2011
SILVER - London International Wine and Spirits Competition 2010
SILVER - International Wine Challenge 2011
Reviews
Raymond Chan - Mar 2011 18.5-/20.0, 5 STARS * * * * *
Very dark, deep, black hued ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues, this has a very full, richly ripe nose of concentrated earthy, dark berry fruits, revealing layers with game and ink. Full, dense, weighty and concentrated, this has plenty of juiciness to the ripe dark cherry, berry and plum fruits. The tannins are firm, but fine and supple, the mouthfeel quite rounded. There is a slipperiness from the acidity. Drink with roasted game meat over the next 5-7 years. (Note: Raymond Chan was paid a review fee of less than $40 to review this wine) www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
Geoff Kelly – Sep 2010 18.0 /20.0, 4 STARS
Pinot Noir ruby. In its light fragrant but highly varietal style, this wine reminded me of the 2008 Martinborough Vineyard wine from Pinot Noir 2010. There are sweet florals spanning from buddleia to darker roses, on red cherry fruit. Palate is a little lighter and fresher than the bouquet promised, but cellaring the wine will produce a pinot confuseable with some Cote de Nuits wines – even at premier cru level. Real promise here, to cellar 3 – 8 years. www.geoffkellywinereviews.co.nz
Geoff Kelly - Re-tasted June 2011 18.0/20.0, 4 STARS * * * *
Pinot Noir ruby. Bouquest is red cherry fragrant, clearly varietal, in a much more Cote de Beaune than Cote de Nuits styling, appealing. Palate follows exactly, not dark Otago pinot noir at all, but still attractive crunch burgundian cherry fruit, freshened by a trace of coolness as seen in the (Felton Road) Cornish Point wine. Cellar 3-8 years. This is gorgeous ! www.geoffkellywinereviews.co.nz
Geoff Kelly - Aug 2011 – From an article on "Worth Cellaring"
The most beautiful pinot offering the best value I can suggest is 2009 Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir. The fragrant red-fruits bouquet of this Alexandra pinot is straight out of the Cote de Beaune, and the whole wine is a delight to drink even now. It will cellar 3 – 8 years, depending on the stage of maturity referred. http://regionalwines.co.nz/wine-content.aspx/worth-cellaring
Nick Stock, Gourmet Traveller WINE, – Dec 2010
Mid-cherry colour with plenty of delightful violet florals, some sappy elements, dark cherry and blue fruits, cola and a gentle dose of oak spice – really charming stuff. The palate is smoothly laid out with plenty of ripe fruit and a smooth velvet-like tannin glide. Round and supple, light tannins and nice acid balance. Best Alexandra 2009 Pinot Noir – Nick Stock, Gourmet Traveller WINE Feb/Mar 2011
Pinot Unearthered Review– Dec 2010. Rating 18.75/20.0 www.pinotunearthed.com.au
Ben Edwards
Bright colour; crystalline red and dark plum fruit bouquet, with licorice, ironstone and some fresh leather complexity; the palate is vibrant, lively, fleshy and fine boned, with a glorious core of bright red fruit, merely accentuated by the super fine tannin and plush, velvety texture; long and succulent.
Chris Crawford
Brightly coloured, vivid; some barrel ferment notes with smoked meats and a herbal undercurrent; layered with a briary edge, interesting and draws you in; concentrated syrupy entry with a powerhouse of fruit; intense and opulent; stunning core of fruit with line and length; rich and intense, this wine has massive crowd appeal, delicious.
Dan Sims
Bright, dark and vibrant purple in colour; complex and layered aromas of rich, ripe and vibrant essence plum and dark cherry mixed with oak spice and lift adding intrigue; the palate reciprocates adding drive and focus to the fruit that is expansive, textured and generous; there is oak here, yes, but oh so seductively so.
Sam Kim - May 2011 93/100, 5 STARS * * * * * www.wineorbit.co.nz
Grasshopper Rock have quickly established a great name in New Zealand Pinot Noir with a succession of outstanding vintages. This is another beautifully framed wine showing dark cherry, spicy oak, dried herb and game characters on the nose. The palate is succulent and silky smooth with lovely roundness and a lingering dry finish, provided by fine-grained tannins. Grapes were grown on their Earnscleugh vineyard in the Alexandra district. At its best: now to 2015. (Note: Sam Kim was paid a review fee of less than $40 to review this wine)
The Wine Advocate #197 - 90+/100 Lisa Perroti-Brown Oct 2011
Ruby colored, the 2009 Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot Noir reveals slightly closed raspberry and red cherry notes over aromas of damp earth, dried leaves and cinnamon stick. Elegantly fruited in the mouth with a medium body, it has medium level velvety tannins, refreshing acidity and plenty of red berry fruit lingering long into the finish. Drink it now to 2016.
Independent Wine Monthly - Emma Jenkins MW and Jane Skilton MW – July 2011
www.independentwinemonthly.co.nz
Since the inaugural 2006 vintage it has been a pleasure to chart this wine’s evolution and watch its finesse and intensity increase. The 2009 vintage offers an abundance of fruit, predominantly raspberry and dark cherry, seasoned with light cedery oak and a delicious undercurrent of earth and spice. The ripe rich fruit is nicely cut through with fresh acidity and the palate offers a decent silky texture and nice sappy finish. Clearly Central Otago in character, but mercifully more than just a sweet-fruited blockbuster, Grasshopper Rock is reaping the rewards of careful site selection and a clear vision and focus (they produce only pinot).18.0/20.0
Marlborough Express – Peter Morice/Deborah Walton-Derry – July 2011 http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/lifestyle/wine/5282711/Winemaking-flourishes-in-climate-of-extremes
Crimson with a touch of garnet – lovely depth of colour in the glass. The aroma is rich, inviting blend of blackberry-fruit, cocoa and smoke. Herbal, fruity with some liquorice and red barrel notes add exceptional interest. The palate is full of sweet, ripe fruit – plum and spice flavours that are son rich they take on a Christmas cake depth of flavour. Firm tannins and a dash of herbal briskness keep the palate clean and balanced. The drying porty finish and long aftertaste round out this weighty, attractive wine. A big wine with cellaring potential.
NZ Herald – Jo Burzynska – Sep 2011
Another delicious vintage of pinot from this boutique Central Otago producer, this is full of intense, ripe and tangy dark cherry fruit with a seasoning of roasted spice.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10749994
Cuisine – Nov 2011 - 4 STARS
A viticulturally favoured corner of Alexandra Basin has delivered this pure racy pinot. It offers appealing bayleaf and red fruit scents followed by real flow and presence in the mouth. Panel members used words such as "integrity" and "correct" to describe its sound, pristine fruit.
International Wine and Spirits Competition – London 2010 – Judges comments
Medium depth of cherry red colour. Ripe sweet red berry fruit, fresh beetroot and dried herbs. Nice burst of fruit on the tongue, followed by some dusty, earthy tannins and a lift of fresh acidity to finish. Good length – Silver Medal London IWSC Oct 2010
Sydney International Wine Competion -2011 -Judges comments:
Blue-Gold Medal and Top100 wine. Tasted with Squab Breasts on Mushroom Tartlets. www.top100wines.com
Rob Geddes MW
Fine perfumed floral fruit with fine red flowers and raspberry. Very appealing and elegant. The palate had good acidity, good tannin freshness and plenty of flavour. It needed food to bring the best out in it. It had great oak, good fruit, good length of palate. With food it was nearly impossible to spit out and so it was marked up.
Mark Robertson
A stunner! Vibrant, ripe, aniseed, chocolate and cherry. A very, very good nose. Pure and lifted. The palate was wonderful, silky, purposeful fruit driven. The wine had beautiful length which is something we are always looking for. Pure. With food it was good but not round. It came across as being a bit sweeter or just slightly blowsy but still a very good wine. One of the better wines in the category.
Ken Dobler
Medium brick red colour. A lovely sappy vegetal nose. The palate showing generous fruit with complex stalky tannins. Combined with the food, the stalky tannins became more obtrusive.
Kym Milne MW
Good fruit. Complex fruit and forest floor aromas. Elegant palate with vibrant fruit. Finishes slightly dry. It was enhanced with the food. Quite an elegant style, non competing with the food.
Oliver Masters
Dark cola, reductive spice barrel ferment aromas with a rich, dark, focused, tight palate. Slightly hard on the palate but maybe there was a better wine under there. It stayed a little bit hot and hard with the food.
Brent Marris
A lovely complex nose. This complexity followed through to the palate. Good fruit drive. Balanced, ripe tannins. A good combination with the food. Length and weight. The dish gave it more spiciness on the palate and I thought it was a very good combination.