Competition Awards
GOLD medal 95/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
GOLD medal – NZ Wine of the Year Awards
Accolades
Fine Wines of New Zealand 2019
Classic Wine of New Zealand – Michael Cooper
Top Wineries of New Zealand 2019 and 2020 – The Real Review
Reviews
Bob Campbell MW – The Real Review – 96/100
This is a classic Grasshopper Rock pinot noir with the volume turned up. It’s richer, fleshier and more approachable than usual but has the distinctive cherry, violet, herb and mineral Grasshopper Rock signature. 25 Sep 2020. Drink 2020–2030
Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 – GOLD Medal & 95/100
Ample ripeness of red fruits and charming aromas of violet, thyme and plum. Structured and silky on the palate, bursting with freshness, generous and ripe.
Decanter – Rebecca Gibb MW – Top Picks 92/100 (at Central Otago, 24 Jan 2019)
This has great colour and is beautifully fragrant. It’s fresh, elegant yet ripe, with gorgeous violet, blackberry and raspberry coulis flavours. Lovely skin and seed tannins coat the palate like cocoa powder, and there’s no edginess evident. Drinking Window 2019 – 2030. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-…
Cameron Douglas MS – 96/100
A complex and intriguing bouquet of Pinot Noir with suggestions of ripe red berry fruits, layers of wood spice and dried herbs, a dark rose and lavender combination, a deep seated earthy quality and most importantly Pinosity and charm. Delicious on the palate with textures and fruit flavours forming synergies and power balancing the youthful grip of chalky tannins and acidity. Long finish, a lovely wine. Decant for service with best drinking from today and through 2025. Nov 2019
Jancis Robinson.com 17+/20
Barrel sample and this is an approximate blend. They were still going through veraison in mid February. Rainy and lots of cloud and cold. Summer arrived mid February and went north. Darker colour in cooler climate.
Light to mid crimson with some blue. Lifted raspberry fruit but sweet fresh cherry on the palate. Oak spice is evident but in balance. Some very nice hints of crushed herbs. Firm but finely textured tannins with fruit spilling out all over. Lots of thyme as it opens. (JH). Jan 2018.
Michael Cooper – Michael Cooper’s Wine Buyer’s Guide to NZ Wines 5 stars * * * * *
Estate-grown in Alexandra, this is typically a great buy. From vines planted in 2003, the 2017 vintage (5*) was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (28 per cent new). Still extremely youthful, it has deep, purple-flushed colour. A powerful young red, it has intense, vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, savoury and earthy notes adding complexity, firm tannins, and excellent freshness, density and length. Open 2020 onwards.
Joelle Thompson – Drinks Business – 19/20
Alexandra is one of the edgiest places in New Zealand to grow grapes and wines from here are marked by crisp, refreshing acidity as a result. This give them their zingy quality and makes silky, savoury superbly delicious wines with great aging ability. Grasshopper Rock is one of my favourite Central Otago Pinot Noirs for its silky mouthfeel, fresh vibrant style, excellent consistency every year and accessible price.
Mark Henderson – Otago Daily Times – Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Bonfire embers, savoury elements, earth, blueberry and caramel/toffee tinged oak nuances. A juicy, crunchy, almost grainy feel to the palate backed by cherry and red fruits, a wisp of mint/menthol adding freshness. Youthfully intense, vigorous and energetic yet that brashness softening with aeration. This should be a delight as it all melds together.
Jamie Goode – Wineanorak.com – 93/100
Coolest vintage in 17 years, with smaller bunches and berries, but then towards the end of the season it was nicely warm. Deep in colour. Seductive, sweet black cherry fruit nose with perfume and intensity. The palate is really fresh and vivid with sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit, and nice bright acidity. This is a complex, fresh, dark-fruited expression of Pinot. Needs time to resolve. Feb 2019. http://www.wineanorak.com/wine…