Michael Cooper: 5-Star Rating!

In an average year, Michael Cooper tastes around 3,000 wines and his wealth of knowledge has earned him the position of New Zealand’s most acclaimed wine writer. We are delighted to have once again received the following excellent star ratings from Michael:

FLAXMORE MOUTERE NELSON ROSÉ (2023) ★★★★★ – 5 STARS

“This impressive, well-priced rosé was made from Pinot Noir, estate-grown and hand-picked at Upper Moutere. Tank-fermented with indigenous (‘native’) yeasts, it was bottled unfined and unfiltered.  Pale pink/slight orange, it is fragrant and lively, with generous, ripe peach, strawberry and spice flavours, a hint of apricots, and a dry, sustained finish.  Offering greater complexity than most rosés, it’s delicious now.”

No. of Stars: 5

FLAXMORE MOUTERE NELSON PINOT GRIS (2023) ★★★★✰ – 4.5 STARS

“Drinking well in its youth, but also worth cellaring, the characterful 2023 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested at Upper Moutere. Fermented and lees-aged in stainless steel tanks, it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Pale lemon/green, it is fresh and full-bodied, with good intensity of peachy, citrusy flavours, lively acidity, and a finely balanced, basically dry (4 grams/litre of residual sugar), smooth finish.”

No. of Stars: 4.5