"It is wonderfully fruited on the nose showing black cherry, plum, toasted almond, game and floral characters with a hint of cocoa complexity. The palate is beautifully weighted and rounded, and displays excellent varietal purity together with subtle savoury notes, brilliantly framed by polished tannins. The wine is immediate and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2020" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit June 2017.

"Very dark, black-red colour with purple hues, lighter on the rim. This has a firmly concentrated, deep and intense nose with aromas of black cherry fruit entwined with dark herbs and black minerals, unfolding violet floral elements with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate is fresh and vibrant with flavours of dark-red and black cherries, along with lifted dark florals and herb notes, unfolding minerally hints. The palate has an elegant, fine-textured core with a firm heart, and the mouthfeel has balanced, integrated acid drive. The flavours of black fruits, herbs, florals and minerals carry to a lingering, finely concentrated finish. This is an elegant, finely concentrated, firm, black cherry fruited Pinot Noir with a good core and integrated acid drive. Match with poultry, pork, lamb and beef over the next 4+ years. Clones 777, 115, Abel and 667 from Alexandra, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 10% new French oak barrels and tank.." Ramond Chan, Jun 2017

Medium purple/red in colour, this savoury pinot noir releases lifted Christmas cake and glazed cherry aromas with an underlay of violets and spice. The palate is full of dark fruit flavours that fade to savoury notes. Soft acidity and round tannins contribute to a glossy mouth feel and a smooth finish.

The continental Central Otago climate is one of extremes – the fiercely cold nights and long, warm summer days allow the black queen to display pure, vibrant fruit. From vineyards in Alexandra, the fruit was handpicked from a mixture of traditional Pinot Noir clones 777, 115, Abel and 667. Following fermentation, the wine was matured in tank and seasoned French oak barrels and oak aged for 10 months.