2023 Charteris Central Otago Pinot Noir

This is PJ Charteris leaning deeper into his Central Otago roots - blending fruit from the familiar Georgetown site with a first look at Willowbell, a new vineyard at Queensberry that’s already showing promise. It’s a small-production Pinot (just 360 dozen) with plenty of intent behind it. Five clones in the mix, 20% whole bunch, and just a light touch of new oak to keep the focus on fruit and site.

There’s a savoury edge running through the wine - wild herbs, spice, a flick of game - but also bright cherry, plum skin and raspberry pip to balance it out. The structure is fine and chalky, built more on energy than weight. Everything sits where it should, nothing overplayed.

It’s quietly expressive, layered without being loud, and points to a label that keeps getting sharper with each vintage. Just 360 dozen produced.

95 points
"the '23 vintage delivers some beautiful fruit with perhaps a little more concentration than the '22 release... Gracefully travels savoury, complex and long with a sweep of sour cherry, game and bunch on the exit."
- Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)