Reviews

Paul White,
Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine
Feb/March 2004

Old Weka Pass Road Canterbury Pinot Noir (4 Stars) “A North Canterbury wine of substance and personality, the 2001 vintage (4 Stars) was grown in Marcel Giesen’s and Sherwyn Veldhuizen’s Bell Hill Vineyard at Waikari, in the Weka Pass. Matured in French oak barriques (44 percent new), it is deeply coloured, weighty and concentrated, with a core of sweet, cherryish fruit, slight herbal touches and spicy, earthy, savoury complexities. A delicious, harmonious wine with substantial tannins beneath, it bodes well for the inaugural release under the top Bell Hill label from 2003.” Drink 04-09.

Michael Cooper, Wine Guide 2005Old Weka Pass Road 2001 Highly Recommended 4 stars, 17.5 pts “Complex aromas, rhubarb fool, liquorice, fresh raspberries. Mouthfilling fruit. Harmonious accord between vanilla, oak and fruit. Good length. 3-8 years (DW).

Decanter July 2004“Early experimental pinots from 1999 to 2002 suggest they (Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen) may be unlocking that elusive Burgundian soil-derived structural aspect and finesse that elevates Burgundy above New World pinot.”

James Halliday,
The Weekend Australian
Small and perfectly formed: Kiwi Pinots
28 Feb 2004

Old Weka Pass Road 2001 “has perfect weight, structure, mouthfeel and - above all else – length. Leading French critic and wine writer Michel Bettane was particularly taken by the quality of the natural acidity, which underlies both the finesse and intensity of a world-class wine. Not until the 2003 is released late next year will the Bell Hill name be used; given the great quality of the 2001, it will be an exceptional wine.”