| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Central Otago |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Perfumed aromas of wild strawberries, red raspberries, blood oranges and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and precise acidity, giving notes of blackberries, potpourri, wet bark, dark cherries and graphite. Finely balanced and refined. Made from a blend of all four estate vineyards. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
The 2023 Bannockburn Pinot Noir is vibrant and spicy, with real energy and pace on the palate. Cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry converge on a springy base of pliable tannin. The acidity, which is bright, is woven through all aspects of the fruit, and the wine feels exciting and fresh as a result. This is a great wine here. It has full flavor and resolved texture at a moderate alcohol level. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
The beauty of Felton's Bannockburn Pinot is its approachability from such a young age. Make no mistake, this wine can age, but you'll probably get through a case long before it reaches full maturity. Bright blueish ruby in the glass, the nose is intense, fragrant with strawberry, cherry blossom, sweet plum and rosemary. The palate is glossy on entry, with juicy red fruits and a bouquet garni of herbs jumping off the supple tannins and vibrant acidity that form the gentlest of backbones. High purity is matched by impressive complexity for such a young wine, unwinding with herbs and spices that dance around the fruit on a long, moreish finish.
Mid crimson. Peppery and more savoury than the Marlborough Pinots I have tasted so far. Pure, dark-red fruit and nicely earthy. Firm and savoury on the palate, too, even though there's a cloak of sweet fruit. Firm, smooth tannins. Fresh, long and beautifully balanced. Drink 2025–2035.
