Cleighten Cornelius, winemaker for the Mud House brand in New Zealand, was in Australia last week to celebrate the arrival of the latest vintage release of their Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Mud House has been producing this flagship wine for ten years now and each year the wine just keeps getting better, receiving numerous accolades around the world.

Cleighten is really positive about the 2014 vintage; the wine, he says is more plush and linear than the 2013. Cleighten also points to the 2015 vintage, which he says quietly is looking even better.

Sourced from the winery’s Claim 431 Vineyard in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago, the same site Mud House uses to produce its renowned Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, is one of the winery’s cooler sites, lending to well-structured wines and good acid.

The aim when creating this wine, Cleighten says, is to ensure no one component is overly powerful, with linear structure throughout, acid and tannins on the finish.

The result – fragrant aromas of cherry and dried herbs, complemented by scented oak and spice; a smooth palate with dark cherry and bramble flavours and a long finish with fine tannins and balanced acidity. Retailing for $24.99, this is great value.

Mud House wines are available from Accolade Wines in Australia.