2021 Rippon Tinker's Field Pinot Noir
2021 Rippon Tinker's Field Pinot Noir

2021 Rippon Tinker's Field Pinot Noir

98 pts
Rippon |Central Otago |Pinot Noir
From Rippon’s oldest vines on a schist-strewn slope above Lake Wānaka, this is a taut, deeply expressive Pinot that channels the unique character of Tinker’s Field.
4.7
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
3 Reviews
Price:
$220.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship, only 1 unit left
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Description

Tinker’s Field is a small, north-facing slope at Rippon planted to Pinot Noir in the 80s, making it home to the oldest vines on the property. The soils here are coarse schist gravels from an ancient ejection cone, and the block is named after Rippon’s founder, Rolfe “Tink” Mills, who dreamed of farming this land long before a vine went in the ground.

In 2021, the fruit was picked by hand, fermented with native yeasts and left to its own rhythm. No additions were made, and the wine matured slowly, allowing the site’s character to come through without distraction. Compared to the broader estate Pinot, this is a tighter, more structured expression – built on mineral tannins and a sense of precision that carries right through the finish.

It’s not a loud wine, but there’s a quiet power here, the kind that grows the longer it sits in the glass. A pure expression of one small corner of Rippon, shaped by old vines, lean soils and a deep respect for the land.

98 points
"this is a wine of impact and tremendous grace. It thunders, in its way. And despite the fruit and supple ripeness of it, the highlight, undoubtedly for me, is the tannic shape of it. It bends and moves like an old tree in high wind. It's superb."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

98 points - "The 2021 Tinker's Field Mature Vine Pinot Noir leads with its typical power and flow, underpinned by currents of mineral tannin and saline freshness. This has clarity and intensity and focus in a single hit, like the pointy tip of the spear. I love this wine each year, the seasonal overlay being just another aspect of it, which is almost forgotten between drinking other wines (I don't forget; we never forget) just how good it is. Like a retina focusing in response to bright light, like all sound shutting off from around, this is a wine of impact and tremendous grace. It thunders, in its way. And despite the fruit and supple ripeness of it, the highlight, undoubtedly for me, is the tannic shape of it. It bends and moves like an old tree in high wind. It's superb. The vines were planted from 1982 to 1989, all on their own roots and dry farmed, with no adjustments at must, and all ferments are wild. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

96 points - "A bit more herbal. Manuka honey, wild aromatic fennel pollen, layered floral bouquet. Slight medicinal aspect. Dates. Elegant, more delicate, precise and crystalline. Late, long and structured with a linear form and backwards tannins. Taut acidity, very long finish with black fruit emerging alongside a peppery floral note." - Stephen Wong (The Real Review)

96 points - "Beautiful aromas of plum cherries and crushed stones with some forest fruit undertones. Floral. Dark fruits, Medium to full body with creamy round tannins and a racy finish. Formed. Firm. Vivid. Savory. Fall 2024 release. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold." - JamesSuckling.com

Customer Reviews

4.7
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
Based on 3 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 2 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
3 reviews
  • JL
    jo l.
    Verified Buyer
    3 weeks ago
    Reviewing
    2021 Rippon Tinker's Field Pinot Noir
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    An excellent pinot

    A very good pinot which was one of the top in our Australia/NZ tasting.

    It had pretty well everything a pinot needs . Mouthfilling.

    Great with food. Was drinking extremely well, but with the tanins fruit balance last another 10 years

    Was this helpful?
  • LD
    LUKE D.
    Verified Buyer
    2 months ago
    Reviewing
    2021 Rippon Tinker's Field Pinot Noir
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Ripping Pinot

    Another thoroughly enjoyable Pinot from NZ

    Was this helpful?
  • PG
    Philip G.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    3 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2019 Rippon Tinkers Field Pinot Noir
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Mr Gardner

    Pleasing Pinot good drinking now

    Was this helpful?

A unique parcel within Rippon, Tinker’s Field is a gentle, north facing slope formed by an ancient ejection cone of coarse schist gravels. Tinker’s Field is home to the oldest vines on the property and is named after Rippon’s visionary founder, Rolfe Mills (Tink to his friends), and the land that he had dreamed of farming since childhood.

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Pinot Noir
Country New Zealand
Region Central Otago
Feature Biodynamic
Cult
High Score
Natural/Lo-Fi
Organic
Reviewed By James Suckling
The Wine Advocate
The Real Review
Critic Score 98
96
95
Alcohol 13.5%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2021
Closure DIAM Cork

Rippon

Rippon Vineyard is one of the most breathtaking sites in Central Otago.

For over a century the Mills family has farmed this small patch of earth on the banks of Lake Wanaka. Nick Mills is the fourth generation of his family to walk the rows on Rippon. He now farms the site according to biodynamic principles.

The Mills family and Rippon are intrinsically linked. There's a deep connection to the land which Nick translates into their superlative wines.

Pinot Noir, Gamay, Riesling and Gewürztraminer all excel at Rippon. The wines are made with patience and love.

In the wines of Rippon, you can sense everything that is transcendent about terroir-driven winemaking where the story of a place is told through the wines it produces.

The bucolic Rippon Vineyard - Central Otago, NZ Rippon

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