Bob McDonald

9.3

Unmistakably Central Otago to my palate. Red plums and raspberries. 20% of the grapes were whole bunch. Also aged in 27% new oak. I must mention Neil Martin’s famous Quote, “ Whenever there is a tasting designed to challenge the supremacy of Burgundy, it is usually Felton Road that is ushered into the ring”. Very much on allocation these days and can be difficult to source. — 23 days ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Really smooth. A lot more dark plums, and softer tannins. Earthiness, small amount of spice and looong aftertaste — 3 months ago

Jason Bowman

9.5

Vinho Branco 2021 - very good, smooth buttery mouthfeel but still has a crisp taste. Strong enough to go with spicy meaty dishes even for a white. — a year ago

Jessica Tomczyk

10

Favorite of Jacob and me — 3 years ago

Danny Hernandez

9.4

Purchased this wine at Empire State of Wine, these guys are great, they offer fantastic recommendations — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Earthy aromas with ripe plum notes - a very Otago nose albeit in the lighter spectrum. Same notes transfer to the medium bodied sappy palate. Not as full bodied as I was expecting. Quite Burgundian in weight and texture. Made by the equally earthy Nick Mills, owner and winemaker who made his presentation at Pinot NZ 2018 in Wellington in bare feet. Rippon is biodynamic and chemical free. I subsequently had a nice chat with him - a genuine bloke. Must be one of the prettiest vineyard scenes anywhere in the world sloping up from Lake Wanaka. Whilst this is classed as Central Otago this is not as full bodied as the Bannockburn/Felton Road district. — 6 years ago

Katie Kingston

9.4

The Empire latest November 2018 - June 2020 - very good. — 8 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.6

Outstanding block 5. Much more concentration and power than precious vintages. Strawberry, raspberry, pepper, wood spice. The power of the very best from Central Otago but with an elegance.
Really great pinot.
— 22 days ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Maybe the best chard I have had, jumps out of the glass, aromatic and on the palate quite smooth and silky but still got enough acidity to balance it out. Honeysuckle, melon and some peaches. Really lovely — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

I visited this winery many years ago when it was known as Ollsens, and had a tasting. Next door to Felton Road Winery naturally in Felton Road, Central Otago. A rich, plush delicious Pinot Noir. I used to buy the Ollsens Slapjack back in the day and have always enjoyed it. Red and black fruits of raspberry and black cherry with a herbal heather like overlay like garrigue in the Southern Rhone. Impossible not to engage with this wine. Thanks Mick - I might have to repurchase this one. — 4 months ago

Fin Jams

8.9

Restrained but lovely...hints of citrus — 4 years ago

Tara Rudo

9.0

Yum! From empire wines — 6 years ago

Te

8.9

Both you and Liz liked this one quite a bit. Rich, acidic. Really very good. Everything you like about Riesling. — 6 years ago

Joe F.

8.9

Full bodied with a good amount of spice and dark fruit flavor..,paired well with grilled NY strip steaks with sweet potato. — 7 years ago

with Laurene

Bob McDonald

9.4

Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 3 months ago

Jeffrey Ritterson

8.9

Dark purple. Dry. Medium plus tannins. Med acid. 13.5% abv. Dark berries, plum. Ripe. A bit of that Douro funk that I’m looking for, but not quite there. Med plus body. Would do well with food. — a year ago

Allison Lyzenga

9.2

Lime peel, green candy, petrol, yellow Gatorade, marjoram, sage, slate, jasmine, fresh ginger root, saffron on finish — 4 years ago

Katie Kingston

9.9

Rose - from The Empire 9/26/2020 my 70th birthday! — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Wonderful FLX Riesling! Big apple/pear fruit that almost seems sweet at first. But then the acidity takes over and balances the wine beautifully. Hint of petrol. Very Germanic and extremely well made. EE is an extremely underrated FLX producer. — 7 years ago

Matt Gafford

9.5

Would absolutely buy again. Great value. Total Wine. — 7 years ago