2022 Two Paddocks ‘The First Paddock’ Pinot Noir – Gibbston

The First Paddock is where the Two Paddocks story began. Planted by Sam Neill back in 1993, it’s the original home block in Gibbston Valley - a cool, high-altitude site sitting at 410 metres, where vines cling to deep loam soils and endure long, slow ripening.

Always the last vineyard to be picked, it produces the most ethereal of the Two Paddocks wines which shows red fruits, wild herbs, and classic Gibbston spice. The 2022 was fermented with 78% whole bunches and matured in 25% new French oak, giving the wine lift and fine structure without losing its effortless flow.

This vintage is pure grace in a glass: bright strawberries, forest floor, and crushed stone, all carried by feather-light tannins and a long, mineral finish. It’s the definition of finesse in the context of Central Otago.

96 points
"Lively, racy and driven, this pinot noir impresses with its aromas of fresh strawberries, forest berries, stones, forest floor and orange blossoms. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Refined texture and character, with juicy fresh fruit and a vivid finish of length. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
- James Suckling

2022 Two Paddocks ‘The Fusilier’ Pinot Noir – Bannockburn

Named in honour of Sam’s father, Major Dermot Neill, The Fusilier sits at the western end of Felton Road in Bannockburn - the warmest of the Two Paddocks vineyards and arguably its most commanding. The vines here dig into loam and river gravels, yielding fruit that’s darker, denser, and more brooding than the rest.

Fermented with 82% whole bunches and aged for 12 months in French oak (23% new), the 2022 Fusilier has signature Bannockburn depth with black cherry, spice, and a touch of smoke yet remains fine and balanced. There’s power here, yes, but it’s power with poise.

This is arguably the pick of the 2022 releases, it’s the most “complete” of the quartet, where structure, spice and fruit meet in perfect proportion.

97 points
"This vibrant and spicy pinot noir shows aromas of cherries, dried raspberries, sweet spices and some smoke. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Precise and textural. Racy and full of verve, with a long, peppery finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
- James Suckling

2022 Two Paddocks ‘The Last Chance’ Pinot Noir – Alexandra

Perched above the Clutha River, The Last Chance vineyard in Alexandra is as dramatic as Central Otago gets - a terraced slope of raw schist, wild thyme, and piercing light. The vineyard’s name feels apt; everything here clings to life, and yet it consistently produces one of the most beautiful Pinots in the country.

The 2022 vintage saw a long, cool ripening season that built layers of perfume and texture. Fermented with 85% whole bunches and matured for 12 months in French oak (18% new), it's all dark spice, red plum, thyme and mineral grip.

It's a wild Pinot from some wild country.

97 points
"A scented nose of sour cherries, orange peel, dried flowers and baking spices. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Pristine and focused, with plenty of energy and brightness on the palate. Long, vibrant finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
- James Suckling

2022 Two Paddocks ‘The Major General’ Pinot Noir – Central Otago

The Major General is the outlier - a blend of the three estate vineyards: Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Alexandra. It’s a wine of tribute, named for Sam Neill’s great-grandfather, a career soldier with a fearsome moustache and a reputation for warmth and wit. The cuvée captures that same balance of charm and authority.

Made with 66% whole bunches and aged for 12 months in French oak (20% new), then three months in stainless steel to harmonise before bottling, this is Central Otago in full stereo: the perfume of Gibbston, the structure of Bannockburn, and the wild spice of Alexandra.

It’s bright and composed, with red berries, dried herbs and a savoury undercurrent, and always one of the great sleeper values in the range.

95 points
"Precise, well defined and engaging, with aromas of strawberries, dried herbs, earth and baking spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Delicate texture, yet it has plenty of character. Bright and energetic, with a focused, flavorful finish of bitter lemons and smoke. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
- James Suckling