The 2024 Maude Pinot Noir is a Central Otago Pinot Noir from Maungawera Valley, the stretch of land between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on New Zealand's South Island. Fruit comes from the family's estate sites at Wanaka and Lowburn.
Maude began in 1994, when Terry and Dawn Wilson planted four hectares on a steep north-facing slope at a time when Central Otago held barely a dozen vineyards and nobody could say whether the region would work. Their daughter Sarah-Kate left for the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region, became one of the first Len Evans Tutorial scholars and ran winemaking at Tempus Two. She returned in 2006 with her husband Dan Dineen, built a winery in Wanaka, and the family has made wine there together since. Three decades on, Central Otago is one of the most closely watched Pinot Noir regions in the world and the Wilsons are still farming the same slope.
Dark cherry, blackberry and ripe plum lead the nose, lifted by violet, clove and cinnamon, with smoked spice, wild herbs and forest floor emerging as the wine opens. The palate is medium to full-bodied, silky and velvety, carried by bright natural acidity and fine-grained tannins that run long. Generous in fruit without anything being overworked.
Ben's Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is our easiest way into Central Otago Pinot Noir, particularly for drinkers who already enjoy Burgundy or cool-climate Tasmanian Pinot. Serve at 16–18°C. Drink now or cellar for another five to eight years. Excellent with duck breast, roast lamb, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, charcuterie or soft washed-rind cheese.
