Quartz Reef Methode Traditionalle NV

Salzburg-born Rudi Bauer is one of the most respected winemakers in Central Otago, having worked at Mission and Rippon amongst others before forming Quartz Reef in 1996 with Clotilde Chauvet from Champagne and Trevor Scott. They cultivate 15 hectares of Pinot Noir using multifarious rootstock and clone variations upon north-facing slopes of quartz deposits in Bendigo with supplementary fruit sourced from Central Otago. 

The non-vintage Methode Traditionelle Sparkling is sourced from Gibbston and Bendigo, displays a captivating nose of oyster shell, orange-blossom and granite; the palate very well-balanced with good acidity and touches of lemon zest, green apple and just a faint hint of elderflower on the bone-dry finish. I doubt you will find a better non-vintage New Zealand sparkler. NEAL MARTIN

Biodynamic farming, lees maturation, attention to detail, great vineyard sites. Rudi Bauer of Quartz Reef has many positives in the manifestation of his life work. Beyond that, and so often it’s hard to separate the person who makes the wine from the wine itself, he’s an outstanding human. And hilarious. That being said, it means little when wines are in brown paper bags being tasted. This wine leapt from the pack.

Incredible intensity, inward concentration, a knife edge of acidity in finely wrapped layers of toastiness, marzipan, brioche with a sleek, lean profile of green apple and citrus. Fine, fine bubbles add dimension and freshness. Aside its precision, it’s gorgeous to drink, refreshing the palate with each sip, leaving lingering detail of the presence of the wine. Insanely good drinking. It’s fine wine personified. Kudos here. MIKE BENNIE, The Wine Front