4.5 Stars across the board from Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper is known as New Zealand’s most acclaimed wine writer, with 45 books and several major literary awards to his credit. He has once again given us some excellent reviews for all our wines:

Flaxmore Moutere Nelson Chardonnay (2021) ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars

Already highly enjoyable, the 2021 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Moutere hills, and fermented and matured for nine months in oak barrels (15 per cent new). Bright, light yellow/green, it is an invitingly fragrant, full-bodied wine, with strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, showing very good complexity, finely integrated oak, balanced acidity and a creamy-textured finish. Savoury and harmonious, it should be at its best 2024+.

Type: White Wines
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
Overall Rating for All Vintages Tasted: ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars

Flaxmore Moutere Nelson Pinot Gris (2022) ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars

The finely poised, vigorous 2022 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown and hand-picked at Upper Moutere. Tank-fermented and lees-aged, it is an attractively scented, youthful wine, already drinking well, with excellent body and depth of peach, pear and spice flavours, that build to a long, basically dry (4 grams/litre of residual sugar) finish. Good value.

Type: White Wines
Variety: Pinot Gris
Vintage: 2022
Overall Rating for All Vintages Tasted: ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars
Sweetness: DRY
Value for Money: V+

Flaxmore Moutere Rosé (2022) ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars

The distinctive, well-priced 2022 vintage (4.5*) was made from Pinot Noir, estate-grown and hand-harvested at Upper Moutere. Tank-fermented and matured on its yeast lees, it is a pink/orange, full-bodied wine, with strong peach, strawberry and spice flavours, a hint of oranges, a distinct touch of complexity and a lengthy, dry finish.

Type: Rosé Wines
Variety: Rosé Wines
Vintage: 2022
Overall Rating for All Vintages Tasted: ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars
Sweetness: DRY
Value for Money: V+

Flaxmore Moutere Nelson Pinot Noir 2020* ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars

Estate-grown and hand-picked in the  Moutere hills, this is a characterful, ripely fragrant, savoury and supple red.   Matured for a year in French oak casks (15 per cent new), it is bright ruby, with generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent depth, complexity and harmony.   Best drinking 2024+.

Type: Red Wines
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2020
Overall Rating for All Vintages Tasted: ★★★★✰ – 4.5 Stars
Sweetness: DRY
Value for Money: V+

*Currently only available in the Flaxmore Cellar Door