Misha's Vineyard Tempo Pinot Noir 2023

Misha's Vineyard Tempo Pinot Noir is a beautifully expressive Central Otago Pinot Noir from the sun-drenched terraces of Bendigo, overlooking Lake Dunstan. Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry and dark plum are layered with floral notes, wild thyme, rosemary and a touch of warm spice. The palate is juicy and wonderfully supple, with generous red berry flavours, fine-grained tannins and subtle hints of toasted almond and savoury herbs. A gentle touch of French oak adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit, while fresh acidity keeps the finish lively and balanced. Approachable yet full of character, it's a fantastic match for roast lamb, duck, mushroom dishes or grilled salmon.

What the winery says:

Crafted by acclaimed winemaker Olly Masters, Tempo is sourced entirely from Misha's Vineyard's estate-grown Pinot Noir vines in Bendigo, Central Otago. The 2023 vintage was hand-harvested in April following a warm, settled growing season. Approximately 15% whole bunches were retained during fermentation, with natural yeasts initiating fermentation in open-top vessels. After around 25 days on skins, the wine was transferred to 300-litre French oak barrels, with 10% new oak, before being bottled in February 2024. Designed as an earlier-maturing expression of the vineyard's Pinot Noir, it combines vibrant fruit, elegant structure and a smooth, approachable finish. The finished wine is 14% alcohol.

What the experts say:

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 93/100 (2023)
"This is immediately appealing on the nose with dark cherry, floral, mixed spice, and toasted almond characters. The palate displays juicy fruit intensity with fleshy texture and fine-grained tannins, making it structured and balanced with a lengthy, delectable finish."

Cameron Douglas MS, 92/100 (2023)
“Polished ruby red hues lead to  a bouquet of cherry and plums scents, some blackcurrant then a fine earthy stony soils idea. Dry, fleshy, fruity and polished with fine tannins and core red berry fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet. A developing savoury seam adds complexity while a fine layer of oak adds a lick of wood spice and further complexity. Balanced, well made and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2028+.”

Michael Cooper, 4.5 Stars (2023)
"Offering good value, the deep ruby, strongly varietal 2023 vintage (****1/2) is the winery's 'earlier maturing style'. Hand-harvested and matured in French oak hogsheads (10 per cent new), it is fragrant, mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of dark chocolate, good complexity and a finely textured, very harmonious finish. Already delicious, it's a refined red, likely to be at its best 2026+"

Bob Campbell MW, 90/100 (2023)
"Light, dry pinot noir with savoury dried herb, mixed spice, cassis, red berry, vanilla and subtle and rosemary flavours. Appealing wine that offers good value at this price."