Shaky Bridge Artisan Reserve Pinot Noir

These guys are one of Central’s original grape growers dating back to 1973 and name their wines after the iconic bridge (yes, it’s a bit shaky) in the nearby town of Alexandra.

Using fruit from some of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the Central Otago region (up to 30 years old) this is their Artisan Reserve Pinot Noir. It’s their top, barrel-selected Pinot from their schist-rock based single vineyard.

Sometimes it really pays to know your schist and these guys do. Schist is a rare infertile rock that drains water and makes roots go deep into the soil to find it, down to fractures in the bedrock. Schist also absorbs and stores heat during the day, slowly releasing it back at night, which all helps with ripe, healthy grapes full of flavour.

This is a Pinot that gets the TLC treatment in the winery too and is aged in French oak barrels (a third being expensive new oak) with a selection from the very best barrels making the final blend. It’s what winemaker Dave and the Shaky Bridge crew like to call “a pinnacle expression of the vintage and this ‘Grand Cru’ site.”

A Double Gold medal winner at the NZ International Wine Show (meaning every senior judge awarded it a Gold medal score) and bloody right too – this is a seriously good Pinot! Drink now to 2029.