11/5/2023 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I am enjoying this wine so much! The 2011 vintage is in the shadow of the much more heralded 2010 and also in some respects the 2013. The latest bottle of this wine did not disappoint. One thing this wine has made me do is to rethink decanting. I decided not to decant this wine and it was noticeably reticent on opening with nothing much on the nose and quite astringent on the palate. Leaving it with just the cork loosely replaced allow it to oxygenate very gently and day 2 it was simply divine - I think decanting may have rushed this a bit? The tannins had softened and it has some beautiful ripe red fruits with some light burnt sugar. It has a wonderful evocative nose with some wild strawberry and herbs and the palate is also silky and smooth with wonderful mouthfeel. I was so impressed that despite having a few bottles left I ordered another case on the strength of this tasting! I’d been keen to try the Casa Mate from the same vintage to compare it with.

9/17/2023 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Really nothing but good things here! Translucent bright crimson colour with plenty of evident viscosity. The nose isn’t overwhelming but it’s lovely with some subtle cherry, spice and a hint of cola. The palate is smooth with a nice red fruit core, subtle acidity and just a balanced hint of bitterness (in a good way). Just drinking on its own and Chicken Risotto awaits and should be a reasonable if not obvious match. I think this will develop further with time and glad I have a few bottles left.

9/15/2023 - darrenhe wrote:

This has gone! Brown and medicinal! Sadly have another 3 in storage. Could be the bottle but other 2 haven’t been great!

8/13/2023 - darrenhe wrote:

Tried at the same time as the 2015 Pian Del Ciampolo and a similar experience. Too acidic on opening but has evolved over last 2 days with a much silkier mouthfeel. This is a bit more refined than the Ciampolo with a less redacted finish. Would also be better with food and some roast chicken awaits!!

8/13/2023 - darrenhe wrote:

Concur with many reviews on CellarTracker but wouldn’t agree this is over the hill yet. It is certainly a wine that needs a bit of time to breathe. I didn’t decant and on popping and pouring it was clunky, fearcely acidic and not a pleasant experience. However, after 2 days open in the bottle it has softened and I suspect represents a bit of a throwback to older Tuscan wines. I am consuming without food and assume this would be far better with a nice Porchetta or grilled pork chop! I do think that it’s well into its drinking window and should be drunk up over the next couple of years. All in all not a bad wine!

6/11/2023 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I have been a bit guilty of overlooking Two Paddocks Picnic range of wines, particularly the Pinot Noir, in favour of the main estate wine or the single vineyard wines. The 2020 is definitely worth considering. In my opinion it’s not quite in the same league as the other wines but it’s got bags of fruit and is representative of the estate. It’s a lovely wine to enjoy while waiting for the estate Pinot or the single vineyard wines to enter respective drinking windows.

5/29/2023 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Much better showing this time but still needs more time. Decided against decanting and drunk over 3 days. Actually seemed to benefit from the longer slower airing.
The nose is beautiful! Lovely and floral with hints of the red fruits beneath. This is tannic but seemed to get smoother as the days ticked by and the last 2 glasses - drunk with a chicken risotto - were lovely!

4/13/2023 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Another 15 months since my last bottle and this is just as impressive. Wonderful typical left-bank aromas and palate. Enjoying this on its own but would certainly benefit form some fine food. Interesting to see my original tasting note from 12 years ago.

3/4/2023 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

My first Casa Mate having been a big fan of Gavarini Chiniera! Ok this is way too early but it’s actually drinking remarkably well already. Wonderful colour and nose. Firm tannins but not insurmountable with spades of deep dark fruit. Needs much more time but can be enjoyed now. Also wears its 15% alcohol very lightly with no hint of being OTT. Must get some other vintages!

12/12/2022 - darrenhe wrote:

This is a wine of many contradictions! It is drinking well now but still feels youthful. It is richly tannic but they are starting to soften out. Beautiful colour with only early signs of bricking towards the edge. There is plenty of Barolo typicity on the nose with wonderful tar, roses and violets - the nose itself is intoxicating!, what fabulous perfume! It is an intensely rich wine with deep dark red fruits and tannins that are dusty but still significant. There is spice there as well, a subtle touch of clove. It’s drinking wonderfully without the need to decant (not sure if it would be necessary) but on this showing it has years ahead - at least a decade! Lovely wine!

11/4/2022 - darrenhe wrote:

First bottle of a 6-bottle case and ultimately a bit disappointing. This will be good but just way too young on this showing. Paired with rib-eye steak and we also opened a 2007 Barolo from another (less heralded) estate which was in a much better more developed place. Probably an unfair comparison! Will leave the other bottles a good while before trying again. Did get better on day 2 after a good few hours in the decanter!

10/9/2022 - darrenhe wrote:

Perplexing wine. It’s on the modern, masculine end of the Chianti spectrum and as a result I think loses some elegance. There is no doubt that it’s got bags of fruit and a lovely rich, lush mouthfeel but lacks a bit of freshness as a result. It’s a long haul wine so I expect I will enjoy this more in 5-10 years.

9/2/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Thought I’d try this having read previous tasting notes. It’s fabulous and much more “open for business” than I was anticipating. I have been drinking lots of Barolo recently so it may be that my tannin tolerance is high but I found this an absolute pleasure to drink. Yes it’s a BIG wine and is dense and brooding but I found the tannin acceptable and particularly with food (Gorgonzola and sourdough toast was all I could muster!) it was really lovely. Nose is typically Tuscan but really deep dark red fruits and I think a slight touch of lavender (or am I mad!?!). Mouth feel is luxurious with deep dark but well integrated fruits. Tannin is there but I felt it was quite mellow - only criticism is that it lacks a bit of acidic freshness. Finish is long and satisfying. Agree this will probably need a tad more time to hit its true heights but it’s the best Brunello I’ve had since….well probably ever!!!!

8/24/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Fabulous showing of this wine! Drank over a family dinner with a Prunotto Barolo 2017. Even the most unknowledgeable amongst us could taste the difference.
Popped about 40 minutes prior to tasting this was immediately in its stride. Wonderful floral nose and radiant colour was more than matched by a rich palate of dark fruits. Tannin there but starting to be integrated. Best showing of this wine for me so far - ordered another case on the strength of it!

8/21/2022 - darrenhe wrote:

Have to concur with most recent tasters of this wine. Absolutely quintessential claret in what I think is it’s prime drinking window. Decanted but to be honest could have just popped and poured. Wonderful deep red hue with not many signs of ageing. It’s a “glowing” deep red. The nose is lovely with all those wonderful deep fruit and pencil shavings/cigar box aromas. Palate is deep and full with lovely rich red fruits of blackcurrant and plum. The tannin is there but really well integrated and adds to the balance. A marvellous 2004 but sadly my last bottle. Whilst I don’t think it will improve, I think it can last for another 3-5 years!

8/12/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I concur with all previous tasting notes. This is a really enjoyable if not complex wine. Lovely bright colour and fairly typical nose. Nice smooth mouth feel with lowish acidity and tannin. Would be nice to know the fruit split between Gavarini Chiniera and Case Mate vines in this wine. A great starting point for those tasting Barolo for the first time and I can see me enjoying this wine while I wait for the single crus to enter their drinking windows. Obviously a wine that exists due to a poor vintage but I think the estate certainly made the best of it given the circumstances! I think I’ll pour myself another glass and drink with some Comte cheese!

8/5/2022 - darrenhe wrote:

Fantastic fizz. Lovely citrus and acidity. Should age well if I can stop drinking it!

7/15/2022 - darrenhe wrote:

Only a 90 at present as I think this is entering is hibernation period! Lots of promise but way too much tannin and acidity at present. I guess with a few hours in the decanter and some rare meat it could be passable but I’d wait. Saw Konstantin Baum MW do a tasting of this wine on his YouTube channel and pretty much agree with him.

6/15/2022 - darrenhe wrote:

This is a massive wine! It does retain some Tuscan/Sangiovese tipicity but also has a bit of a new world feel to it. Not really my thing at the moment but can argue that it’s a big impact wine!

5/17/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Popped and decanted the bottle I have accessed via my Coravin. What a difference! I am seeing the class of this wine shine through and without doubt one of the best Barolo’s recently tasted! On decanting you get the most heavenly nose of wild strawberry and some other red fruit notes. There are violets and roses there and the colour is a simply beautiful translucent red - no garnet as yet. It’s soo much nicer on the palate and the rather bitter edges I noted earlier have resolved. I drank with a good Comte cheese but was also good on its own. I am absolutely delighted with this and will plan to stagger my 5 remaining bottles over a few years.

5/6/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Sampled a glass via my Coravin.
The nose is simply wonderful. So aromatic with lovely rose, violets and a herbal character. Beautiful light crimson in the glass with no noticeable bricking as yet.
Palate at this stage isn’t at all ready with tannin and unbalanced/incomplete fruit. It’s very acidic at present - I drank this on its own so would almost certainly be improved with some food. Will leave these a few years!

4/15/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

This was a superb Chardonnay - with just the one caveat! It’s got everything you need from a top flight Chard with wonderful nose of hay biscuit and citrus. Lovely mouthfeel with rich but balanced palate which wears its oak delicately. This was lovely. However after being in the fridge overnight it seemed to lose some of the roundness to the palate replaced with a slight bitter edge. I will definitely leave a few bottles to age a bit and also drink next bottle on the day of opening!

4/17/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

What a wonderful first bottle of a much heralded vintage in Barolo! I originally sampled this in Berry Bros shop on Pall Mall and was shocked at how approachable and delicious this was so bought a bottle. Ok it’s not going to be the most complex of wines but there’s enough there to suggest it will have room for improvement. The colour is a lovely bright crimson with already a slight orange tint on the edge. The nose has typical tar and roses but also some hints of violet. I didn’t decant this wine and it’s noticeably smoother on day 2 and 3. There was a slight bitter edge to the palate in day one which has now completely dissipated. It’s got a lovely rich core of sweet dark cherry fruit and tannins are there but approachable. Works with food but enjoying the last few glasses on its own. Ordered an additional 6-bottles on the strength of this one. A great Barolo to enjoy while waiting for my more prestigious 2016s to come round! A great credit to the BBR wine buyers! At £29.95 it’s also stunning QPR!

4/1/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

An interesting first bottle from a recently acquired case. Initially extracted a couple of glasses via Coravin straight into my Riedel O decanter. Nose initially reticent and underwhelming but did evolve in glass. High acid and plenty of tannin. Dark cherry and blue fruits with the added savoury notes. It does this trick of being lean and intensely rich simultaneously. I decided to pop the cork and actually poured a glass straight from the bottle and it seemed more balanced and harmonious - maybe won’t decant the next bottle. Then had with some bresaola and Parmesan and it’s was fabulous which underlined just what a great food wine this is! On this showing I’d be keen to get some younger vintages!

3/20/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I must confess initially that I am a self-confessed PN obsessive so probably a biased jury! This just another example of how utterly fabulous this varietal is! I have been drinking some really good examples from Burgundy, Central Otago NZ, Martinborough NZ and California in recent months and decided to give Australia a try and this is absolutely fabulous. It’s recognisable as PN but also has it’s own identity. It starts with the colour - a light translucent red which bellies the richness and wonderful structure it possess! The nose has some lovely lifted florals with an essence of cherry and crème brûlée!!! The palate is silky, seductive and with fully resolved tannins - the latter makes me feel that this may not be a long-haul wine - but that’s ok! It’s a moreish wine which works as an aperitif but would be great with food. We are having some filet steak for dinner so will be good to try with this - if there is any left?!?!!?

3/13/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Lovely wine! Something other wordly about this and very different to Central Otago PN. Not particularly complex but really silky palate and soft red fruits with resolved tannins and a long deep finish. Probably at its peak so I wouldn’t wait if you have any!

3/4/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

What a great wine! I tend to agree that this isn’t your typical PN but boy is it good. Actually feels fully evolved already with a wonderful perfumed nose and viscous silky palate. This is much denser in terms of colour and palate but for me still has the necessary acidity to cut through this - perhaps not as much acidity as you’d expect from a relatively young wine. Agree with previous tasters on the lovely red fruit profile which is generous. There are so many complex aromas and flavours that taste familiar but I can quite put my finger on. I will savour the remaining half-bottle and my other 5 bottles over the next few years. Actually may get another case on this showing!

2/26/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I think this is my third single vineyard wine from Two Paddocks and it may well be one of the best. I note a previous taster saying this “wouldn’t get better”. Obviously I have no idea how this wine showed in it’s youth but it’s a really interesting wine based on this tasting. Wonderful nose matched by a complex palate and a very long finish. Thid is sumptuous Pinot Noir!

2/19/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

This represents the 6th vintage of the estate PN that I have tried and obviously the youngest. Although I feel Two Paddocks PNs need time in bottle to develop, this is already providing compelling, if understated drinking. The nose, although muted, is lovely and I am sure will get better. The palate is delicate with an undercurrent of soft red fruits, modest tannin and a structure that bodes well. This will be extremely interesting in 5 years time. I have a great assortment of 2014s, 16s, 18s and 19s to sample in between (not to mention a number of single vineyard wines to enjoy)

1/30/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Interesting to read my 2 previous tasting notes from over 10 years ago. The decade has certainly helped the development of this wine and its a really lovely claret from nose to finish! Lovely cedar/cigar-box aromas - a swirl of the glass reveals some mature red fruits and some cooked cream (as daft as that sounds). It’s a beautifully classic Bordeaux nose!
The mouthfeel has developed and is now quite silky. Tannin is very much still there but dusty and nicely resolved. Lovely long partially stewed fruit palate but still has some freshness. Blackcurrant but also I get a slight Black Forest Gateau element here (or am I mad?!?). This is great on its own but I think will be fabulous with food. Steak or Lamb would be the best but we have a nice roast chicken and I think this would go very well! It’s taken 20 years but I think it’s been well worth the wait!

1/27/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I think this is starting to hit its stride now! It’s definitely put on some weight which provides a nice balance to the acidity. Red fruits are there and it’s starting to develop a silky mouth feel. I think this can develop further and tastings of First Paddock and The Fusilier from the same vintage bode well. I have some 2014s which are drinking beautifully so I really believe that the estate Pinot’s need some time.

1/9/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I am really fortunate to have purchased some really great PN in 2021 from Central Otago, California and Hemel en aarde in South Africa. All offer a different take on PN and I have tasted some excellent wines. This Kupe from Escarpment is up there with the very best. Popped and poured its wonderful from the first glass. The nose is laced with cinnamon and clove which continues on the palate. Slightly sour cherry taste mixed with the spices with a long long finish. This would have been an excellent wine for Christmas lunch. We have Coq au Vin for dinner and I think this will be a great match!

1/2/2022 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

A slow burn this one! Opened on New Years Eve and was REALLY clunky, dense and not very pleasant to drink .
Double decanting and a couple of days has had a positive effect and a bit of refreshing acidity has now come to the fore! I guess this is referred to as a “super Tuscan” (never been keen on that unofficial clarification!) and I wonder if some Cab Franc, Petit Verdot or even some Sangiovese in the blend would have added an extra dimension. Certainly not a bad wine but not as good as the estate’s Chianti’s!

11/20/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Slow burn this one. It lacks vibrancy and freshness of other NZ Pinot’s from the same vintage. After a day and a decant it has started to open up with some sour cherry and some spice but still a bit flat. I am unconvinced that time will make this any better and feel that it’s a wine to be enjoyed within 3-5 years of release .

10/16/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Opened yesterday straight from wine fridge. This was severely closed out of the bottle but has opened up in day 2. Still a bit too acidic and thin but I think this will come good. As previous note, I think TP wines need a few years!

10/16/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Although this did liven up eventually, I think this definitely needs a few more years. This is the 3rd 2015 Two Paddocks wine I have tried and it’s been a mixed bag. The estate blend has been the most successful, the First Paddock a bit dilute and this wine is somewhere in the middle. Nice nose and the palate does open up given time. I think that Two Paddocks single estate wines are going to need time to show their best!

10/9/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Best wine of the vertical. Tasted with the 2015 and 2017 and was above both (2017 was way behind!). Lovely nose which was consistent with palate and lots of fabulous red fruits. Acidity and tannin in harmony!

10/9/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Drank with 2015 and 2016 - this is suprisingly very lean and watery at present. Very thin on the palate and quite acidic at present. Needs more time but not sure it will ever be as good as the 2016

10/9/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Part of a small vertical with 2016 and 2017. Stil some life left in this with lovely deep rich fruits but probably starting its decline. Nice deep nose and good mouthfeel.

8/8/2021 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Remains on very good form. Taken from wine cabinet and does need warming up and decanting. Lovely cherry driven nose with some hedgerow. Deep colour and a lovely smooth palate with red fruits and a slightly savoury finish.

7/31/2021 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

This is most definitely a step up from the terribly disappointing 2001 drunk last year. This is self evidently a fabulous wine. Nose is bordering on intoxicating with wonderful herbs and a touch of menthol. Palate is very smooth and tannins are mellow and integrated. Deep rich blackcurrant and dark cherries and a long, long taste.
A wonderful wine but is it good value? I think I paid about £70 for this but it would be far pricier now. I think there are better value wines where you aren't paying for reputation!

7/28/2021 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

As a Private Paddock member I got this wine as part of my first case. I have been enjoying younger vintages of Two Paddocks - namely the 2015, 2016 and 2018. All very nice and eminently drinkable. However I always wondered how they would age?!? This wine has given me a look into the future and as a marketing man may say “the future is bright!”. This is quite simply fabulous and I think in it’s ideal drinking window. It’s got all the virtues of Otago PN but with wonderful smoky nose an mouth-coating texture and deep red fruits. There’s a touch of Burgundian decay (in a good way!) which really bodes well for food matching (this was drunk on it’s own!). I have a big smile on my face!

7/6/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Although not undrinkable, this is surely starting to get into its death bed! The lushness has gone and it’s starting to get a bit flat and overly acidic. Gave up on this and popped open a 2015 which is bang on form!

6/5/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

Is the best NZ Pinot I have ever tasted? Quite possibly. Floral nose of violets but with a touch of herbs. Palate is wonderfully silky with simply beautiful red fruits and a hint of caramelised sugar on the end. It’s superbly put together and goes on and on. I have no more 2014s but a couple of 2015s which I am so looking forward to!

5/15/2021 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

What a difference in vintages! After the ultimately disappointing 2015, I thought I’d try the 2018. Made a point of giving this a good few hours in my Riedel O decanter before trying. I think this is exceptional!
The nose is just beautiful - almost “moving” with a wonderful floral nose - a touch of lavender!?!?
The colour is light and restrained and very Burgundian but this belies a wonderful depth on the palate. It certainly needs the few hours in the decanter. Lovely deep complex red fruits - the most delicate of cherry with a long, long finish. Blows the 2015 out of the water.
Will leave the remaining 2 bottles for a few more years as this could develop further. I have some 2011 arriving soon and it will be great to see what a bit more age will do. Going to savour the remaining glasses!

4/25/2021 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Judging from previous tasting notes, there may be some bottle variation. I loved the 2009 and picked up this 6-bottle case from Berry Bros and Rudd a few years ago. I had high hopes but these were not entirely fulfilled until today’s bottle. I originally used my Coravin with the aerator attachment to access a glass and it was such and improvement that I opened and decanted the bottle! It’s on pretty good form here rich dark fruits with lovely mouth-feel and viscosity on the palate. Sadly nose is a bit reticent but pretty taste. Just about to pair with a corn fed roast chicken! (Not the best match but hey!)

4/23/2021 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

I guess it depends if you like mature wines as to whether this is a hit or a miss for you! I quite like this 2006 - I have been fortunate to have drunk a 12 bottle case over the last 10 years plus. This is definitely mature and is showing deep rich dark and bitter fruits. Nose has decay and menthol to the fore. Tannin has pretty much fully evolved. Not drunk with food as yet but guessing rich cheeses would be a good bet. You definitely miss any bright fruits due to age but I also don’t think it’s past it! However I think that 2008 and 2009 are drinking better!

4/11/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

This is really fabulous and represents excellent value. Such a contrast to the extremely acidic and dilute 2014, this is nice and rich with great balance between the Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s great on its own but with Cannelloni stuffed with an Italian sausage and ricotta mix it was excellent!

3/30/2021 - darrenhe wrote:

This is the first of the single vineyard wines from Two Paddocks that I have tried and this was ultimately a disappointment. Nose was initially lovely with gentle perfume but this didn't last. Palate lacked the structure of the blended estate Pinot Noir and was quite thin and acidic. This was certainly better on day 2 and even day 3 but will forget the other 2 bottles I have for a few more years!

2/4/2021 - darrenhe Likes this wine:

Fabulous Sav. Blanc from one of the best producers in New Zealand! Wonderful rich tropical fruits aligned with typical sav b traits. Fresh and absolutely delicious!