Reviews

BOB CAMPBELL
BOBCAMPBELL.CO.NZ
NOVEMBER 27, 2018

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2015 One of New Zealand's most distinctive chardonnays thanks, in part at least, to the fact that the vineyard is planted soils with a high limestone content. A powerful, linear chardonnay with a strong chalk, mineral character. Wonderfully pure, powerful wine supported by a backbone of ripe acidity that helps drive a very lengthy finish. It promises to develop well with bottle age. Drink 2018-2023. 99 Points

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2015 Fragrant, gently aromatic pinot noir with subtle floral, red rose, violet and cherry flavours, together with a suggestion of spice and crushed herb. Supremely elegant wine with delicate fruit that demonstrates impressive power with its incredibly lengthy finish. A seductive wine with promising potential. Drink 2018-2025. 98 Points

NICK STOCK
CHEERS TO THE FUTURE OF GREAT NEW ZEALAND WINE
JAMESSUCKLING.COM
OCTOBER 15, 2018

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2015 The concentration of this wine is staggering and it delivers immense complexity, too. Aromas of lemon peel, grapefruit and deeply set, flinty and chalky nuances with thoroughly integrated oak, delivering a savory thread to the nose. The palate has powerful, rich and driving presence, as well as a smooth array of yellow and pink grapefruit. Long, pithy and thrilling finish. 97 Points

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2015 A stunning pinot noir that is the product of incredible attention to detail in both the vineyard and the winery. The product of dramatically low yields and an unwavering commitment to the ultimate expression of a site’s potential quality. The nose has deeply fused aromas of red and black cherries, earth, baking spices, wild dried herbs and wild flowers. The palate is youthfully energetic, but it will be some years before it reaches full potential. For now, though, it is certainly approachable with a very bright and composed core of rich, spicy red cherries and plums that intertwine with long, ultra-silky tannins. A lesson in finesse. Delicious now, or hold. 97 Points

ANNA KREBIEHL MW
NZ PINOT NOIR FOR YOUR CELLAR
DECANTER
JULY, 2018

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2014 Peppery red cherry and tart berry fruit is ripe but pervaded by spice: aromatic and sinuous, generous and warming, but channeled by fresh acidity. It is the aromatic quality of the fruit that gets under the skin. The finish has a touch of smoke. 94 Points

MARY WOROBIEC
NZ RECENT RELEASES
WINE SPECTATOR
JULY, 2018

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2013 Complex and elegant, featuring spice, black tea and dried sage notes, firm and savory, with a rush of black cherry and wild strawberry flavors coming in. Offers highlights of lavender and fresh earth, with plenty of firm structure. Drink now through 2028. 371 cases made. 93 Points

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2013 Smooth and succulent, showing a hint of sweet butter to complement the pear and citrus flavors. Spice, roasted fennel and toast accents sneak in on the finish, leaving a complex, harmonious, lingering finish. Drink now through 2022. 119 cases made. 91 Points

JOE WANG
PINOT NOIR FOR SIPPING BY THE FIRE
DENIZEN
JUNE 7, 2018

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2013 I first encountered this jewel when I was Head Sommelier at the Northern Club. But it was not until I worked at Hawke’s Bay’s luxury Cape Kidnappers Lodge that I felt the full force of its charm. Given to any American tourist when they requested the best New Zealand Pinot Noir, they were never disappointed. Floral notes gently brush the nose at first, followed by a scent of sweet berries and a piercing mineral sensation when you take in its full bouquet. Delicate tannins compose an elegant texture that is perfectly balanced in its fruit and acidity. With only 2,000 bottles produced each year, you’ll want to get your hands on it sooner rather than later.

AIR NEW ZEALAND
FINE WINES OF NEW ZEALAND 2018

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2014 Ripe and full flavoured stonefruit and citrus, but with a mineral/herbal edge and hint of matchstick flintiness. Creamy biscuit texture to start on palate, but tightly focussed finish with salty lime minerality, and vibrant acidity.

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2014 A wine defined by power, finesse and presence. The oak is toasty, spicy and savoury perfectly accompanying damson plums and ripe raspberries. Whole bunch pressing imparts an exotic perfume note bringing further character.

JOE CZERWINSKI
NEW ZEALAND NEW RELEASES
THE WINE ADVOCATE
MARCH 1, 2018

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2014: The 2014 Pinot Noir was entirely destemmed, yet it's fresher and redder in fruit profile than the 2013. Sous bois notes accent cherry and raspberry aromas on the nose of this elegant, medium-bodied wine. There's ample complexity on the palate as well, where herbal notes seamlessly entwine with the fruit, finishing fresh, silky and long. 94 Points, Drink 2020-2030

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2014: Bell Hill's 2014 Chardonnay somehow manages to deliver ample weight and richness in the absence of overt fruit. Delicate notes of struck flint, pencil shavings (it saw 16% new French oak for 12 months) and wet stone expand in the mouth to deliver volume and flesh, but the fruit is restrained, offering subtle hints of white nectarine and pineapple on the mid-palate. Finally, peach and citrus notes burst free on the lingering finish. It's a fine, unique expression of New Zealand Chardonnay, just not representative of the overall market. 94 Points, Drink 2018-2025

Bell Hill Old Weka Pass Road 2014: Spicy and savory, with tart cranberry and pomegranate fruit, the 2014 Old Weka Pass Road Pinot Noir is drawn from young vines on the property and other barrels that didn't make the main blend. It's medium-bodied, silky in feel, turning crisp on the finish. 89 Points, Drink 2018-2020 

ELLIN MCCOY
NEW ZEALAND'S NEW BIG THING IS PINOT NOIR
BLOOMBERG.COM
FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2013 The vineyard at this tiny winery is in an old limestone quarry, and the pinots have won kudos since the first vintage, 2003. This vintage has layer after layer of black cherry fruit and savory minerality, as well as rich, silky texture.