NEWS

John Hawkesby, Radio New Zealand National's wine reviewer on Nine to Noon, positively raved about Aravin's 09 Pinot Noir on Monday 30th May 2011. Here is what he said:
"Here's a great one, Aravin 2009, it's around somewhere between 28 and 32 dollars. This is a brilliant, brilliant Pinot at an excellent price. I was blown away, haven't tried it before, from a small Alexandra vineyard, smooth velvet tasty, savoury toasty oak, blackberries, brings instant pleasure, fine, fine tanins. One of the best $30 and under Pinot Noirs this year - Aravin 2009.
Listen to the review here - John Hawkesby talks about Aravin from 27:35 onwards of the wine and food podcast.

Michael Cooper, acclaimed wine reviewer and The Listener wine columnist awarded Aravin's 2009 Pinot Noir 4 1/2 stars as the Wine of the Week in June 4th issue of the New Zealand Listener. He described the 09 as follows:

Aravin Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 - 4.5 stars - ($34.95)
"This Alexandra red is hard to resist- fragrant, with a stronge surge of ripe cherry/plumb flavours, hints of herbs and nuts and lovely richnessand roundness."

Cameron Douglas, New Zealand's first and only Master Sommelier with the International Court of Master Sommeliers worldwide, posted a tasting log of the Alexandra Basin in Thirst Magazine in January 2011. See what he says about Aravin's '09 Pinot Noir and '10 Pinot Gris in the "Reviews" section below.

Bob Campbell, New Zealand's premium Wine Master and international wine judge has reviewed Aravin's wines on www.BobCampbell.com.
See below under "Reviews" for more details on Bob's Aravin tastings.

The November/December 2009 issue of Cuisine Magazine has given Aravin's 2008 Pinot Noir a 4.5 star rating. Here's what the Cuisine wine reviewer says:
"A dry, sandy vineyard in Alexandra has delivered this vigorously fragrant, spicy Pinot, made by French winemakers who travel here for vintage. Rich, red-berry flavours and a touch of quince arrive gracefully – and are slow to depart. A splendid wine to open at a traditional Christmas lunch."

Aravin's 2007 Pinot Noir took out the Champion Pinot Noir award PLUS Reserve Champion out of nearly 800 wines PLUS a gold medal to top things off, at the Romeo Bragato awards held in Hawke's Bay this year. Check out these articles on how Aravin took on the big boys and won...

The Otago Daily Times reports how Aravin swept the awards at the 2009 Bragato Wine Awards on Saturday 22 August 2009.

The Southern Rural Life reports about Aravin's award haul.

The October 2009 issue of Taste Magazine features Aravin's 2007 Pinot Noir and lists it in their top Pinot Noirs.

Here's what our customers say...

"The wine arrived this week in perfect condition, and I opened a bottle last night. What a beautiful expression of pinot - juicy and spicy and with such great focus and concentration. Congratulations."

"Your wine never fails to deliver. We simply love your Pinot Noir and would like to order some more! Well done in producing such a world class wine."

.... and here's what the experts say...

Aravin Pinot Noir 2009 "The ’09 Pinot Noir displayed freeze-dried raspberry, a mix of cherry flavours and mild oak spices – an enticing wine with great and length – an easy 4.5 stars."

Aravin Pinot Gris 2010 "The 2010 Pinot Gris was definitely an interesting wine – reminding at first of ripe pear then sweet apple and peach, just off-dry on the palate then juicy with the medium-plus acidity. I liked the wheat beer flavour on the finish."

Aravin Pinot Noir 2009 "Fresh, focused Pinot Noir with gentle cherry, crushed raspberry and aromatic herb flavours. Light, supple wine with a seductively silken texture and moderately lengthy finish and appealing purity."

Aravin Pinot Noir 2007 "Creamy Pinot Noir showing good density and fruit intensity with spice, herbs, dark cherry, plum and oak characters. Attractive wine offering good value at this price."

Aravin Pinot Noir 2006 "A fairly herbal though moderately concentrated Pinot Noir from the Alexandra district of Central Otago. Their wine also has some charming sweet cherry characters that help to ameliorate the greenness. Not bad value at this price."

Aravin Pinot Noir 2005 "Light, soft Pinot Noir with pleasant cherry and strawberry flavours. Chocolate flavours from oak add an extra dimension of complexity."

Aravin Rose 2010 "Pale pink wine with surprisingly assertive flavours suggesting raspberry and cherry. Soft textured and with a hint of sweetness although with a moderately drying and lengthy finish. Excellent value."