Clos Ostler EOS Pinot Noir 2022

95 points, Stephen Wong

Floral and sweet; clouds of perfumed nutty, vanilla oak surround the rotating cast of dark cherry, plum and raspberry. A soft, plush, primary anise-spiced berry confit forms the core of this crystalline, pretty pinot noir. Not a blockbuster and no more than mid-weight, the pure and precise fruit is framed by light, powdery tannins before giving way to milk chocolate and spice. It can be approached now for charming delicacy but most of its intrigue will remain hidden, and it will need several years before it reveals its innate complexity. Best drinking 2025–2039

La Niña’s weather patterns left a distinct mark on the 2022 season in the Waitaki Valley. A warm, generous spring brought about even budburst, with little interruption from traditional spring frosts. This year’s energy came from a milder, wetter easterly flow, avoiding the harsh westerlies we often see. Flowering was cooler and wetter, reducing crop weights and berry size – key to building concentration. Summer temperatures remained mild, preserving acidity and resulting in small, intensely flavoured berries. A sublime, dry autumn allowed for harvest in near-perfect conditions.

The 2022 vintage marks the inaugural release of EOS Pinot Noir – a wine shaped by the season’s restraint and the clarity of our site. Deep and darkly brooding, it exudes intensity with a luscious core of Doris plum, mulberry, and cassis. These fruit notes are layered with subtle spice, hints of anise and black pepper. The palate is rich and complex, with impressive depth and finely grained tannins that shape a bold yet harmonious finish. A wine of power and intrigue, revealing new layers with every sip. EOS makes its debut, derived from the same site and plantings as Caroline’s Pinot Noir, yet expressing a distinct stylistic identity.