98 points & No. 6 in James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of New Zealand - "Stupendous and complex aromas of dried strawberries, smoke, oyster shells and rust follow through to a medium body with dusty, velvety tannins that give length and lift. Spicy at the end, with cloves and gunpowder. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - James Suckling

97 points - "Reticent and broodingly closed, this only reluctantly unfolds with extended time in the glass despite its age. Distinctive, high-impact oak with roasted coffee and vanilla flavours meet a hint of flint ahead of the immensely concentrated, mouth-filling black cherry, violet and raspberry fruit. Ripe, submerged tannins and taut acidity battle with the intensity of flavour across the palate, creating tension and adding to the already impressive length. Just starting to reveal hints of roasted nut, earth and olive complexity on the finish, this massive and oaky yet energetic pinot is a decade away from maturity and will richly reward those with patience." - Stephen Wong (The Real Review)

Harvested between the 30th of March and 15th of April with a range of 23.4 to 26.3 Brix, the Bell Hill Pinot Noir is a 13-barrel blend of the Shelf parcels, Quarry Rootlings and 10/5, the Roadblock and Slope. The fruit was mostly destemmed with a single 35% crushed fruit trial in one of the Slope ferments. Each block had 28 to 33 days on skins with cold pre-ferment and warm post-ferment macerations. After basket pressing, the wine went into 100% new French oak, was racked and blended after 12 months and had 8 months in tank before being bottled on the 21st of December 2022 with 3.75 pH, 5.0g/L TA and 13.5% alcohol. 3,729 bottles were produced. A Single Parcel Shelf blend of 887 bottles (3 barrels) will be released with the 2022 vintage.

Medium density in colour with a pure ripe nose with hibiscus and dried thyme. Nice depth of earthy spice elements and struck stone. A bouquet of aromatics, the dried herb blossom and rose petals along with the florals, undergrowth, blueberries, wild strawberry, a hint of smoke, slight touch of cedar gives both an earthbound and ethereal lift which is very intriguing and draws you in. The palate is densely fruited with ripe black peach, raspberry, and orange zest with fresh acidity. Sour cherry on the mid-palate, gaining tension and salinity, fresh game with a bright lift and a dark chocolate highlight. Once it opens up, that reduction lifts away to reveal intriguing layers of spice and depth. It’s super delicious, velvety, textural and wraps around you with flavour and warmth. Comfort breeds confidence, then conversation – this wine is talking. A seamless, flowing, flavoursome palate, beautiful red notes and florals, gaining viscosity and volume, with sweetness and a fine, tannin balance.