Two Paddocks The Last Chance Pinot Noir 2021

In exceptional vintages, Two Paddocks bottles a single-vineyard expression from one of its four organically farmed sites in Central Otago. In 2021, that vineyard was The Last Chance—a two-hectare terrace perched above the Earnscleugh Valley, where schist gravels, wild winds, and hand-dug gold miner irrigation define one of the world’s southernmost Pinot Noir plots.

2021 was a season of contrasts: early frosts, erratic flowering, and a dramatic summer storm gave way to a dry, stable autumn—allowing fruit to ripen slowly and completely. On April 8, a small crop of perfectly poised Pinot was harvested and vinified with 79% whole bunch in a French oak cuve. The wine spent 24 days on skins, including a 9-day wild ferment, before maturing for 11 months in French barriques (11% new).

The result is a vivid and textural wine, rich in lifted florals, fine tannins, and site transparency. The nose bursts with wild strawberry, red currants, rosehip and citrus peel, while the palate is savoury, mineral and long—featuring notes of mushroom, wet leaves, cedar and crushed herbs.

Small-Batch Detail

• Vineyard: The Last Chance, Earnscleugh (est. 1998)

• Soil: Schist gravels | Elevation: ~220m | Organic certified

• Clone: 86% 115, 14% clone 5

• Fermentation: 79% whole bunch | Wild yeast | 24 days on skins

• Oak: 11 months in French barriques (11% new)

• Bottled: Feb 2022 | Production: 200 cases

• Alcohol: 13.5% | TA: 6.0 g/L

• Farming: Organic & Vegan Friendly

• Cellaring: Now to 2030

Critical Acclaim
⭐ 95 Points – James Suckling
“Fresh red currants, wild strawberries and rose hips followed by zesty citrus peel and cedar... medium-bodied, refreshing acidity and firm yet finely-grained tannins... complex and savoury minerality of mushrooms and wet leaves... serious depth and length. Piquant and zesty.”

FinePinot Note
A rare and haunting Pinot Noir from one of Central Otago’s most exposed and soulful sites. ‘The Last Chance’ 2021 is deeply aromatic, finely structured, and full of place. Serve with duck breast, slow-roast lamb, or mushroom pappardelle.

Two Paddocks

(Image source from Two Paddocks Wines)

Two Paddocks is the passion project of actor Sam Neill, his family and friends.They are a very very small company,but making world class wine year on year.They planted their first vineyard at Gibbson Valley, Central Otago in 1993 and have their fist vintage in 1997.Their ambiton has been change from making great wines for friends and family to making world's best Pinot Noir from.

Central Otago, New Zealand

(Image source from Misha's vineyard, Central Otago)

Central Otago has quickly established itself as ground zero for Pinot Noir in New Zealand-in the words of Jancis Robinson, "many believe this is where the Pinot grail is to be found".