2024 Matt Connell "Rendition" Pinot Noir Central Otago
Top Pick
95SK
93BC
$29.99
Fulfillment times vary, for estimated turnaround times
Availability by location
Main Warehouse: 100+ | New York City: 100+ | San Francisco: 76 | Redwood City: 48 | Culver City: 33 | Hollywood: 24
95
Sam Kim
Reviewed October 2025Superbly composed and expressed, with excellent fruit purity and sensual complexity, the inviting bouquet reveals dark plum, wild strawberry, olive, clove, and roasted nut aromas. It’s succulent and splendidly weighted in the mouth, delivering a velvety texture and finely pitched tannins. Harmonious and structured with loads of delectable flavours, offering terrific drinking. At its best now to 2034.
Professional Reviews
93
Bob Campbell
Noticeable purple rim. Already very aromatic and expressive – despite its youth – weaving together berry and floral flavours with cinnamon oak spice. The mid-weight flavours flow across the palate, soaking into a basket of lightly toasty, powder-fine tannins with dried herbal notes melting into the ripe expression of purple fruit on the finish. Possessing a beguiling lightness of touch, this is immediately approachable with sheer drinkability. That said, it has enough length and palate depth to unfurl with floral and savoury nuance as it ages. *Recommended* (SW)
Staff Reviews
RR
Review Date: 10/2026
Central Otago is one of the most exciting wine regions in New Zealand right now, and the 2024 Matt Connell “Rendition” Pinot Noir is a spectacular example of what makes this region so special. As the southernmost winegrowing region in the world, farther south than Tasmania or even Patagonia, the climate here is marginal – at the edge of where winemaking is even possible. Unlike most of New Zealand, Central Otago has hot, dry summers and cold winters, with significant day-to-night temperature swings. The long, sunny days during the growing season, however, help grapes ripen, while cool nights preserve acidity and aromatic freshness. The result is incredible precision and purity – there is a sense of cool freshness that feels almost electric. The brilliantly colored label of this wine is a perfect preview for what’s inside: vibrant notes of Bing cherry, pomegranate and wild strawberry, along with subtle lilac, forest floor, baking spice and dried thyme – a kaleidoscope of flavors that build onto each other. There’s also a wonderful tension here: the wine feels almost ballerina-like in its lightness and grace, while delivering surprising length, intensity, and muscularity beneath its elegant frame. Meticulously farmed and made by hand, it is also one of the best values we carry from this niche wine region. At $29.99, this both a compelling value and an absolute must-buy for anyone who loves fresh, energetic, and fine-boned Pinot Noir. If you want to understand why Central Otago Pinot is having such a moment, this is an outstanding ansd affordable place to start.
SB
Scott Beckerley
Review Date: 09/2026Scott Beckerley
After admiring the very pretty ruby red colour in the glass, I took the time to enjoy the relatively deep and crisp, red-fruited nose with dried lavender and deep strawberry scents. On the palate, quite mouth-filling, with darker red fruits of black raspberry and ripe strawberry. At the tip of the tongue is a very nice savory spiciness with a bit of clean cedar. It gives you a little "bite" at the top of the palate with some sour and crunchy red fruits. Very nice! It finishes smooth and luxurious.
AH
Aaron Hughes
Review Date: 09/2026Aaron Hughes
The cute little note on the side of this bottle ends with "... abstinence from immediate consumption will reward." It's a great little note that I think often follows true for a lot of wine, but at the same time here we are doing a review and it must be immediately consumed. A conundrum. The nose is really pretty, with some crunchy fruit in the background but a little bit of sweeter fruit on the nose, like a juicy cherry and a craisin (for those who didn't enjoy their brief cultural relevance, it's a cranberry that has been sweetened and raisined, kinda exactly what it sounds like). I would say that the nose is really pure fruited, it really smells great. The palate is delightful, with some good balance of fruit and savory, with some dense and crunchy fruit on the palate that gives way to spice and tannin and then comes back to a darker fruit. This is really compelling at this price point and would be great with a VERY slight chill on it to make the fruit pop bit a more.
Notes
Established in 2016, Matt Connell Wines is the eponymous label of one of Central Otago’s most accomplished winemakers. After gaining experience in Australia, Oregon, and New Zealand, Connell set out on his own, focusing on small-lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from exceptional vineyard sites around Central Otago. Based in Cromwell, the winery takes a distinctly site-driven approach, with Connell aiming to capture the character of each vineyard and vintage through careful, minimalist winemaking. His Pinot Noir is known for its vibrant fruit, complexity, silky tannins, and balance.
Details
| Type | Red Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Bottle Size | 750 mL |
| Alcohol Content | 14% |
| SKU | 1994317 |