NZD (0)

Awards & Accolades

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn 
Pinot Noir 2017

92 Points
Rebecca Gibb MW, Decanter
16 Mar 2019

"A fleshy, supple mid-palate displays ripe, plummy fruit and spice. While mellifluous and ripe, there's a youthful edginess to the conclusion - the combination of lower pH, higher acidity and youthful tannic grip speak of the vintage. Give it time in bottle and this will sing."

Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/new-zealand/central-otago/mt-difficulty-pinot-noir-bannockburn-central-otago-2017-28512#bVZvYYEMhrXV5H9B.99

Mt Difficulty Lowburn Valley Packspur Riesling 2017

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
10 January 2019

"Single vineyard wine from the oldest vineyard site in Lowburn. It's a rich and moderately weighty wine with grapefruit, lime, apricot and root ginger flavours. A bold, richly-textured riesling."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Rose 2018

90 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
19 November 2018

"Full-flavoured and reasonably deep-tinted rosé with raspberry, fresh herb and cherry flavours. It's a dry, but not austerely dry, wine with a hint of sweetness balanced by tangy acidity. Good food wine."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2017

Four and a Half Stars
Listener Magazine - Michael Cooper
13 October 2018

"Grown and hand-picked at Bannockburn, in Central Otago, this freshly scented and mouthfilling wine was made in a basically dry style. Vibrantly fruity, it has strong, pure pear and lychee flavours, a hint of spiciness and excellent delicacy, harmony and depth."

Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017

91 Points
Huon Hooke
26 September 2018

"Medium-deep red-purple colour, youthful and fresh, as it is also on the nose. Bright Campari, bitter-herb aromas, with dominant red and black-cherry aromas. The wine is medium bodied and bright on the tongue, with remarkable depth of flavour for the money and plenty of soft, fine tannin. There is a lovely core of sweet fruit, too."

 

Four Stars - North & South Magazine
November 2018

"From Mt Difficulty, the latest release of this highly popular red was hand-picked and matured for nine months in French oak casks. Full, bright ruby, it is fragrant, fresh and sweet-fruited, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and gentle tannins. Showing good concentration, it is a top vintage of this label."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Target Riesling 2017

Gold
Six Nations Wine Challenge 2018
17 October 2018

Roaring Meg Central Otago Riesling 2017

New World Wine Awards

93 Points - Silver

Mt Difficulty Bendigo Ghost Town Syrah 2016 

5 Stars - Cuisine Magazine
3rd out of 44 tasted
Issue 189 - June 2018

"Central Otago syrahs are not a common breed, and wines like this make you wonder why. Lifted florals (violets) and spice scents lead through to an energetic mouthful where the dark fruit is as pure as a tree-ripened plum. The tannins are fine and a little assertive, but the overall complexity and verve are compelling. Try it with Moroccan spiced lamb."

 

4 Stars - 90 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
06 April 2018


"In 2017 there were just 3.2 ha of syrah in Central Otago. This dense red from the relatively warm subregion of Bendigo shows liquorice, tar, dark berry, pepper, violet, tobacco and a suggestion of dried herb flavours. It's an heroic wine in a firmly-structured and slightly jammy style.

 

Excellent to Outstanding - Mark Hendersen
ODT - 31 October 2018

"Smoky, savoury nose, a sweetly floral aspect rises, adding berry compote. Richness to the meaty/savoury nuanced palate that adds tilled earth and spice; the powerfully sweet dark fruits moving into the blackberry and raspberry spectrum, a little blueberry backdrop too. Lovely depth and fine tannins frame a wine that grows in the glass.

Drinking very well now."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn 
Pinot Noir 2016

92 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
20 Feb 2018

"Soft, supple and delicately fruity pinot noir with dark cherry, anise, spice, thyme and smoky oak flavours. Fresh acidity adds energy to this satisfyingly dry wine that's approachable now but should develop in the medium-term".

 

92 Points
Wine Spectator
30 Sept 2018

"Distinctive, with spicy nutmeg and silky cherry flavors that are juicy and bright, set on a supple frame and becoming more intriguing on the finish, where white pepper and dried rose petal notes emerge."

 

Silver
International Wine & Spirit Competition
Sept 2017

 

93 Points
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
4 August 2018

"Vibrant, fruity, varietal and focused bouquet showing off aromas of dark cherry and dried raspberry, toasty oak spices with clove, bacon and vanilla moments. Dry, firm, youthful and varietal. Flavours of red berry fruits, plum and dark raspberry; wood spices, fine to moderate tannins, medium+ acidity, great length and potential. Decant for service, best from 2020 through 2026."

Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Long Gully Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2015

5 Stars - Michael Cooper
New Zealand Listener  - 11 June 2018

"This outstanding red was hand-picked from vines planted in 1992 and matured for 16 months in French oak barrels. Enticingly perfumed, it is ruby hued, savoury and supple, in a full-bodied style (14% alc/vol) with delicious plum, spice and nut flavours that build to a silky-textured, long, harmonious finish."

 

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
22 July 2018

"Made from grapes grown in this Bannockburn vineyard with mostly 23-year-old vines and a small proportion of 20-year-old vines. Light, delicate pinot noir with impressive purity. Red fruits, floral and subtle spice characters. A totally charming pinot noir with potential".

 

95 Points
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
7 August 2018

"Specific and focused bouquet with aromas of wild thyme and red berry fruits, a steely almost haunting minerality against a back-drop of soft and mild toasty oak, quite complex. Dry, youthful firm textures from the tannins and abundant acid line. Flavours of red berries continue with red apple, cranberry and wild red floral notes. Decent length and complexity - a wine that requires decanting and preferably cellar time first. Best from late 2019 through 2027".

Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Mansons Farm Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2015

4 1/2 Stars - Michael Cooper
16 July 2018

 

"Described on the label as "muscular", the 2015 vintage (4.5*) is from vines planted at Bannockburn in 2000. Barrel-aged for 16 months, it is ruby hued, mouthfilling and firmly structured, with deep, youthful plum, spice, herb and nut flavours, savoury and complex, fresh acidity and obvious cellaring potential. Open 2020+."

 

96 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
22 July 2018

"This is only the second release of this single vineyard wine from one of the older vineyard sites in Bannockburn. A seductively soft and silken pinot noir, with initial fruit sweetness giving way to a pleasantly drying finish. Quite a floral, fragrant wine with hidden depths that bottle age promises to reveal".

Mt Difficulty Bendigo Ghost Town Pinot Noir 2016 

Excellent to Outstanding - Mark Hendersen
ODT - 25 July 2018

"An intriguing soy/balsamic note starts the ball rolling, adding perfumed notes and a melange of red fruits. This plays in the sweet and sour spectrum: licorice and black tea-accented, a sweet-cherry-and-plum-driven palate matched by a zingy tang that adds brightness.

A feeling of cool mountain stream over stones in the mouth, leading to a delightfully chewy close."

 

92 Points
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
5 August 2018

"Familiar and welcoming scents of Otago Pinot Noir with red and dark cherry fruit, dried raspberry and plum. A layer of dried herb and undergrowth and for this example a clay/rock mineral layer. Dry, fruity and fleshy on the palate with flavours reflective of the nose, plenty of acidity and finer tannins finishing with a layer of wood smoke and spice. Best from mid 2019 through 2024."

 

Mt Difficulty Gibbston
Havoc Farm 
Pinot Noir 2016

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
22 July 2018

"Concentrated and quite complex pinot noir, with fresh herb and red fruit flavours, plus a seasoning of spice. A dense, savoury wine, with a firm tannic backbone that indicates development potential".

 

Excellent
Mark Henderson - ODT Wine Times 29.8.18

"Intense  nose with a little funk. Powerful, grainy tannins, lead pencil, peppery spice, herbs and darker fruits frame the palate;  oak seasoning more evident with time: a tangy edge adds a cooler feel. Very young and tightly structured, yet all the elements are there for this to unfurl into something delicious." Read more here

Mt Difficulty Packspur 
Pinot Noir 2016

96 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
22 July 2018

"Deeply-scented pinot noir with bold plum, dark berry and mixed spice flavours. A seamless, silken texture and impressively concentrated flavours add extra appeal. Delicious now but with cellaring potential".

 

92 Points
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
5 August 2018

"Youthful bouquet - fresh, fruity, dried herb and tea. Flavours of dark cherries and forest berries, firm tannins and plentiful acidity. Spicy tannin & rich oak needs time to settle and integrate with the core of red berry fruits. Dry lengthy finish with some emerging complexities and charm. Decant for service, this wine will develop some great bottle affects flavours over time. Best from 2020 through 2028."

 

Excellent
Mark Henderson
ODT Wine Times 3.10.18

"Smoke, beef stock and savoury notes drive the almost European nose. A red fruited top note leads to the darker, plummy/ cherry fruits underneath.Richness here, touches of lead pencil and earth, initially powerful, chewy tannins, but the wine becomes more supple as the savoury elements are joined by a real zestiness on the long, delightful finish."
Read more.

Mt Difficulty Lowburn Valley Packspur Chardonnay 2017

93 Points
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
5 August 2018

"Great bouquet of Chardonnay with a flinty, mineral, steely and fruity beginning. Dry on the palate with flavours of white and yellow stone fruits, wood spice, baking spice and cashew. Plenty of acidity adding highlights to a silky texture, soft and creamy oak layer; balanced , lengthy and well-made. A really nice example of cool climate Otago Chardonnay. Best from today and through 2024."

 

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
5 Mar 2019 - The Real Review

"Rich, smooth and intense chardonnay with ginger, toasted nut, citrus, white peach and spicy oak flavours. A moderately weighty wine with seductive sweet fruit balanced by gentle, fruity acidity. Very accessible now but with obvious potential."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2018

90 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
5 Nov 2018

"Bright, fresh and tangy sauvignon blanc with citrus, grapefruit, mandarin, chalky, mineral and aromatic fresh herb flavours. Good purity and a refreshingly drying finish. Ready now but no rush."

 

4 and 1/2 Stars - Michael Cooper, Buyers Guide 2019

"The impressive 2018 vintage (4.5*) is already delicious. Handled solely in tanks, it is a pale lemon/green, mouthfilling wine, fresh and sweet-fruited, with excellent vigour and depth of ripe, tropical fruit flavours, a touch of complexity, and a crisp, fully dry (under 1 gram/litre residual sugar) finish. If you haven't discovered just how good the region's Sauvignon Blancs can be, try this"

Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Long Gully Bannockburn Chenin Blanc 2017

5 Stars - Michael Cooper, NZ Listener, Wine Special Feb 2018

 

"This is a lovely wine – rich, vibrantly fruity and finely poised. Full-bodied (14% alc/vol), it has fresh, intense fruit flavours, hints of spices and honey, a splash of sweetness, mouth-watering acidity and a lasting finish."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2017

92 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
14 Feb 2018

"Moderately weighty and flavoursome sauvignon blanc with rock melon, guava and capsicum flavours. Soft, fruity acidity, with a silken texture and just a hint of sweetness. Impressive purity."

Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 

Gold - 95 Points
International Wine Challenge 2018

 

Four Stars - Cuisine Magazine
Issue 187 - March 2018

"As its name suggests, this wine does not come and go quietly. It crosses the palate with a hiss and a roar, propelled by a rush of acidity. At its core is some lovely ripe concentrated fruit (stonefruit, citrus) and a touch of sweetness that is a good foil for the acidity. A fresh, lively style."

 

Very Good to Excellent
Mark Henderson - ODT Wine Times 13.6.18

"Attractive nose of ripe pear and stonefruit with nutty nuances; nice freshness too. The palate unfolds with creaming soda, cooked apple, pear, adding lanolin and spice with aeration. A whisper of sweetness here balanced by zesty acidity. This shows delicious balance, building in weight and texture. A smart little wine and rather moreish." Read more here

 

90 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
3 August 2018

"Aromatic pinot gris with pear, lime zest and delicate floral flavours. Made in a medium-dry style, with subtle sweet-and-sour tension and appealing purity."

 

New World Wine Awards

90 points - Silver

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Target Riesling 2016

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
15 January 2018

"Taut, vibrant riesling with chalk, mineral, lime, grapefruit, citrus and wildflower flavours. Laserlike acidity reacts with subtle sweetness to give the wine an exquisite tension. Wonderful purity and a lingering finish. This is a fine example of a consistently top riesling."

 

4.5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2018

"From Central Otago, the 2016 vintage (4.5*) is an instantly appealing, medium-sweet style (43 grams/litre of residual sugar). Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied and vibrant, with rich, ripe, peachy, limey flavours, hints of passionfruit, marmalade and honey, and a lovely balance of sweetness and appetising acidity.

 

Fourth place and Double Gold - Six Nations Wine Challenge 2017

 

93 Points
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
28 July 2018

"Complex and enticing aromatics of Riesling with a blend of lime flower, mandarin, a hint of kerosine, apricot stone and fresh red apple. Immediately off-dry, crisp and refreshing on the palate with a citrus peel, quince and fresh tree fruit flavours. There's tension and bite on the back palate adding length and structure to the core of fruit, abundant acid line. Lengthy finish. Drink now and through 2029."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Dry Riesling 2016

4.5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2018

"Estate-grown at Bannockburn, the 2016 vintage (4.5*) is one of the best yet. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied and fleshy, with strong grapefruit, lime and peach flavours, dry but not austere, and a long, harmonious finish. Already drinking well, it should be at its best 2019+.

Mt Difficulty Growers Series
'Station Block' Pisa Range Gewurztraminer 2016

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
8 December 2017

"Delicately luscious gewürztraminer in a moderately sweet style that would be delicious when served well-chilled as an aperitif. A creamy-textured wine with rose petal and subtle spicy flavours". Read more.

 

Judges Selection
Six Nations Wine Challenge 2018
17 October 2018

Mt Difficulty Growers Series
'Packspur Vineyard' Lowburn Valley Riesling 2016

4.5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2018

"Already delicious, the 2016 vintage (4.5*) is mouthfilling (13.5 per cent alcohol), with rich, ripe, peachy, slightly gingery and honeyed flavours, plentiful sweetness (53 grams/litre of residual sugar) and a well-rounded finish." 

Roaring Meg Central Otago Riesling 2016

Award: Silver Score: 90.0

Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2017

Judging Panel – Steve Baraglia, Greer Carland, Alison Eisermann, Trent Mannell, Steffen Schindler, Jim Trezise

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2016

Four and a Half Stars - North & South Magazine
Issue 381 - December 2017

"[T]his is a vibrant, sturdy, full-bodied wine, attractively scented, with concentrated, ripe, peachy flavours, a vague hint of sweetness, finely balanced acidity, and loads of drink-young appeal."

Tasting Panel – Michael Cooper

Mt Difficulty Mansons Farm Late Harvest Pinot Gris 2014

Very Good to Excellent
Mark Henderson - ODT Wine Times 13.9.18

"Bright, clean and fresh nose with notes of fresh grapes and spiced stonefruits. Suppleness to the texture, subtlety to the flavours adding spiced pear jam and
grilled nuts to the mix on a palate with noticeable sweetness. Quiet richness that grows in the glass. This would be a cracker with freshly cut fruit."

Mt Difficulty Long Gully Noble Riesling 2014

Five Stars - Cuisine Magazine
Issue 185 - November 2017

"This wine shone out like a beacon. It exhibits gorgeous sweet purity and a structure that shows off the glories of its fruit to perfection. Luscious fruit laced with honey, marmalade, ginger and lavender notes flows creamily to a succulent finish. Fine acidity supplies the necessary definition. Have it with a lovely, soft gorgonzola dolce." Read more.

Tasting Panel – John Belsham, Dr Tony Jordan, John Saker

Mt Difficulty Long Gully Noble Riesling 2015

Five Stars - Cuisine Magazine
Issue 185 - November 2017

"Mt Difficulty Scores a five star double with its Long Gully noble riesling. This one is every bit as seductive as the 2014 – rich, clean and succulent. Honey, peach and candied citrus flavours embrace the palate, and the finely honed acidity is perfectly pitched. A beautiful example crafted by the experienced Matt Dicey." Read more.

Tasting Panel – John Belsham, Dr Tony Jordan, John Saker

Mt Difficulty Growers Series 'Silver Tussock Tinwald Burn' Noble Riesling 2016

Four Stars - Cuisine Magazine
Issue 185 - November 2017

"2016 provided Mt Difficulty with great conditions for botrytis development, especially in the Silver Tussock vineyard. This expression is tight, crisp and lively, well stocked with honeyed peach and sweet apple flavours, all carried by zingy acidity." Read more.

Tasting Panel – John Belsham, Dr Tony Jordan, John Saker

Mt Difficulty Growers Series
'Chinamans Terrace' Bendigo Pinot Noir 2015

94 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
17 July 2017

"Dense, ripe pinot noir in a typical Bendigo style, with impressively dense ripe plum, dark cherry, liquorice and wood smoke characters. A firm structure of ripe tannins suggests good cellaring potential. Drink 2017 to 2024". Read more.

 

5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2018

 

"The highly refined 2015 vintage (5*) was barrel-matured for 16 months. Deep ruby, it is savoury, ripe and supple, with rich cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, and a finely textured, long, very harmonious finish. Still very youthful, it's well worth cellaring to 2019+."

Mt Difficulty Growers Series
'Packspur Vineyard' Lowburn Valley Pinot Noir 2015

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
17 July 2017

"Intensely aromatic pinot noir with intense plum, cherry and berry fruit flavours, plus a seasoning of spice and nutty oak. An impressive wine with plenty of weight and appealing juicy flavours. Should age well. Drink 2017 to 2023". Read more.

 

4.5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2018

 

"The 2015 vintage (4.5*) is a single-vineyard Central Otago wine, grown at Lowburn. Matured for 16 months in French oak casks, it is deep ruby, fragrant, full-bodied and supple, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent depth and complexity. Full of potential, it's best cellared to at least mid-2018+."

 

94 Points
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
5 August 2018

"Youthful, focused red berry fruits, stony soil and sweet scented oak bouquet. Juicy, fleshy and ripe on the palate with flavours of dark cherry, dried raspberry and plum. Plenty of mineral and softly spoken oak flavours, vanilla and mild toasty wood. Dry with fine to moderate tannins and nice long finish with moderate+ complexity. Decant for service if opened today. best from 2019 through 2026."

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn 
Pinot Noir 2015

95 Points
Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
17 July 2017

"Attractive and aromatic pinot noir with dark cherry, dark berry, dark-fleshed plum, spice and smoky oak flavours. A smooth-textured red with good palate weight and a lingering finish. Enjoyable now, better later. Drink 2017 to 2022". Read more.

 

Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
7 January 2017

     

    Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2015

    Tasting review from Bob Campbell MW
    1 November 2016

    "Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (NZD $25.99) is more austere than the other examples and has a pleasing thread of oyster shell, mineral character that help define its Central Otago origin. I particularly like the wine’s concealed power and restrained tree fruit characters. It’s a perfect match with Bluff oysters served with just a squeeze of lime juice." Read more.

     

    Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Mansons Farm Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2013

    95 Points - Cameron Douglas MS
    30 October 2016

    "A classic Mt Difficulty Noir bouquet with dark red berry fruit laced with wild dried herb and bracken undergrowth, dusty clay and crushed rock mineral notes and plenty of oaky moments - overall youthful and quite complex. On the palate - dry, firm, fruity and tense - a youthful wine with firm tannins and plenty of acidity, flavours of darker red berry fruits follow wrapped in some new oak; all this leads to a long yet firm finish; Great potential overall. Drink from 2018 through 2027 - decanting recommended. 95 Points." Read more.

    Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Pipeclay Terrace Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2013

    97 Points - Cameron Douglas MS
    30 October 2016

    "A delightfully fragrant bouquet loaded with aromas of sweet spring rose, juicy ripe red berry fruits led by raspberry and darker cherry; sweet new oak and soft barrel spices. There's plenty of mineral tones too with a mix of clay and stony rocky suggestions. On the palate - tense, fruity and highly textured with fine dusty/chalky tannins and medium+ acidity; flavours of red berry fruits with raspberry, strawberry compote and cherry-ish notes; the floral layer returns as does a measure of soil; very long finish and totally enjoyable example. Decant for service or cellar then enjoy from 2018 through 2028. 97 Points"  Read more.

    Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Long Gully Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2013

    96 Points - Cameron Douglas MS
    30 October 2016

    "Complex, ripe and very giving bouquet of site with juicy black cherry, dark rose and soft wild herb, a mix of soil and mineral suggestions then a mix of toasty spicy oak tones; overall very engaging and complex. On the palate - intense, youthful, dry and specific; flavours of wild and ripe red berry fruits laced with some indigenous soft herb and floral moments; plenty of oak; medium+ acidity and tannins with fine textures. A long finish, but a tense and focused one too. Decant for service from 2017 or age longer and serve from 2019 through 2027."  Read more.

    Mt Difficulty Target Gully Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

    94 Points - Cameron Douglas MS
    10 October 2016

    “Distinctive almost powerful bouquet of Pinot Noir with raw energy lead by ripe fruit, abundant minerality, oak and a stinging savoury complexity. The palate is equally full of energy revealing a tense and tightly wound package; dark red berries and plum, spices and a return of savoury elements; fine to moderate tannins and notable acidity all speak to the youth demonstrating cellar time is a must with this example. The finish long though needs 2-3 years in cellar to integrate and show-off its pedigree.”  Read more.

    Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Gris 2016

    90 Points
    Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
    9 August 2017

    "Attractively fresh and weighty pinot gris with poached pear, melon and ripe apple flavours. A hint of sweetness is nicely balanced with fresh acidity giving a pleasing tension. A well-made wine in a popular style"

    Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015

    Five Stars - Dish Magazine
    29 September 2016

    "The one word that kept cropping up among the judges was ‘precision’. This ultra-clean, ultra-floral style oozes ripe pear, strudel spices, nashi and white peach characters. ‘Gorgeous precision and definition, with lovely white florals and layers of flavour,’ noted Yvonne, while Cameron was wowed by its ‘delicate fruit entry, purity, freshness and nicely textured, solid finish’. This Central Otago stunner boasts subtlety, elegance, and deliciously refreshing presence. Superb." Read more.

    Tasting Panel – Yvonne Lorkin, Jo Gear, Cameron Douglas MS & Meg Abbott-Walker

    Mt Difficulty Growers Series Lowburn Valley Chardonnay 2015

    94 Points - Cameron Douglas MS
    15 August 2016

    “Mt Difficulty Growers Series Lowburn Valley Chardonnay 2015 – Complex, intriguing and inviting bouquet with aromas of peach and oak, cashew and baked lemon; loads of oak spice and hard stone mineral scents. On the palate – equally complex and very tasty with a youthful blend of flavours reflecting the bouquet – peach and cashew, lemon and mineral; fine tannins, medium+ acidity and long finish”
    4.5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2018
    "Still unfolding, the youthful 2015 vintage (4.5*) was hand-picked at two sites at Lowburn, in Central Otago, and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (17 per cent new). Light lemon/green, it is lemon-scented, with mouthfilling body, strong, vibrant, citrusy flavours, well-integrated oak, good complexity and excellent length. Best drinking mid-2018+."

    Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard Long Gully Bannockburn Chenin Blanc 2016

    5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2018

    "The lovely 2016 vintage (5*) is rich, vibrant and finely poised. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied (14 per cent alcohol), with fresh, intense fruit flavours, hints of spices and honey, abundant sweetness (51 grams/litre of residual sugar), mouth-watering acidity and a lasting finish. Full of youthful drive, it's already delicious; drink now or cellar."