2022 Terra Sancta Shingle Beach Bannockburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago

A really juicy pinot with ripe strawberry, citrus skin and rose stem aromas and flavors. Medium- to full-bodied with a creamy texture and a juicy and crunchy sensibility. Los of flavor and softness at the end. Enticing. Drink or hold. 

96 points James Suckling, March 2024

Arrestingly exotic perfume with incense, sandalwood, pot-pourri, wild berry and dried thyme unfolding in layers from the nose. The palate is light and restrained, with the red berry and floral flavours held firmly in check by a distinctly herbal frame which persists through to the finely dry, chalky finish. A sophisticated young wine which is presently a bit awkward, there is an elegance and flow to the palate which suggests it will settle and come around in a year or two, revealing the bony, filigree detail which lies within. Drink 2026–2037.

93 points Stephen Wong for The Real Review, March 2025 

Terra Sancta is a family-owned estate with deep roots in Bannockburn always been on expressing the site honestly rather than polishing its edges. The Shingle Beach block sits on the edge of the Kawarau River on limestone and schist soils. This is one of three single block Pinot Noirs from Terra Sancta, each reflecting a distinct part of the estate. It captures the raw energy of one of Bannockburn’s most compelling vineyard parcels.

Fruit is hand harvested, with a thoughtful use of whole bunches to build aromatic lift and structure. Wild fermented in large format French oak puncheons with minimal new oak, the winemaking designed to stay out of the way of the site. The aim is clarity of place, not gloss.

Pale ruby, the nose is fine and lifted — cherry, rose stem, autumn leaf and star anise with a mineral thread. The palate is light-bodied yet intense and and precise with chalky tannins, good length with a finish reminding you of the rocky soils the grapes grew in.

A natural match for game fowl, whether you go for roast goose, seared duck, or a Japanese style sukiyaki presentation, all depending on the age of the wine when you open the bottle.

Drink now through 2033. It is built to age medium term, and a few years would reward with a wine greater harmony.