2022 Carrick Bannockburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Bright, fresh, fruit-focused wine with a silken texture and subtle coffee, wood smoke and spice/anise characters supported by fine, ripe tannins. The wine has a clear Bannockburn signature 03 Aug 2024 Drink 2024–2029

92 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com

Carrick Bannockburn Pinot Noir is a benchmark expression of Central Otago, a region globally recognised for producing some of the most vibrant and age-worthy Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy. Grown on the organically certified Carrick estate in Bannockburn, this wine comes from vines rooted in glacially carved schist soils overlooking the Kawarau River. Winemaker Gwen Harvie allows the land and the vintage to speak clearly, focusing on minimal intervention and purity of fruit.

Hand harvested and wild fermented using indigenous yeasts, the Pinot undergoes partial whole-bunch inclusion to build structure and aromatic lift. It is then matured in French oak for 10 to 12 months, adding depth and savoury complexity without dominating the fruit.

The result is a layered and expressive wine with aromas of dark cherry, wild thyme, rose petals and dried herbs, underpinned by earthy spice and hints of graphite. The palate is silky yet structured, with supple tannins, bright acidity, and notes of redcurrant, clove, and a subtle mineral edge that speaks to the Bannockburn soils. There's a vibrancy and energy in this wine that makes it incredibly food-friendly and cellar-worthy.

Enjoy it with dishes like duck breast with cherry jus, roast quail, or porcini mushroom risotto. While approachable now, it will reward cellaring for 7 to 10 years.