2024 Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Bannockburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Incredibly intense aromas of cherries, strawberries, peaches, melon and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied with creamy, open-grained tannins and a juicy finish. Refreshing, vivid and vibrant. A pinot noir for today. From a mix of clones on their own roots planted in 1999 and farmed organically. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

98 points jamessuckling.com

Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Bannockburn Pinot Noir from Central Otago is one of those wines that reminds you why this region sits among the world’s greatest sources of Pinot. It is vibrant, layered, site driven, and completely saturated with the character of Bannockburn, one of the warmest and most distinctive pockets of Central Otago. Terra Sancta means sacred earth, and the estate takes that idea seriously, farming some of the oldest vines in the region around Felton Road. These vineyards sit on ancient schist and glacial gravels studded with quartz and scattered boulders, soils that drain fast and produce incredibly concentrated fruit.

Mysterious Diggings is crafted to show the wild soul of Bannockburn in a more approachable, energetic style than Terra Sancta’s single parcel wines. The grapes come from younger blocks within the estate’s Felton Road site, planted in soils that deliver bright red fruit and vivid aromatics. The microclimate here is intense. Hot, dry days build richness, while freezing nights preserve acidity. Vines dig deeper each year into fractured schist, drawing up the mineral signature that appears in every Terra Sancta wine.

Hand picking begins early in the morning to lock in purity. The fruit is destemmed with a small portion of whole berries retained for aromatic lift. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in small open fermenters, a slow and steady process that brings gentle extraction of tannin and colour. There is minimal plunging to retain fragrance and the natural silkiness of Bannockburn Pinot. Maturation occurs in older French oak, chosen to shape the wine rather than dominate it, allowing fruit and earth to stay at the forefront.

In the glass it shines a brilliant ruby with crimson edges. The aroma is wonderfully expressive and unmistakably Central Otago. Wild cherry, raspberry, and red plum rise first, followed by briar, thyme flowers, violets, and a whisper of warm schist. There is an attractive hint of baking spice and dried rose petal that drifts through the perfume, giving the wine both charm and complexity. With air the nose expands to include cranberry, redcurrant, savoury earth, and a faint whisper of smoke from the Bannockburn landscape.

The palate is vibrant, pure, and beautifully layered. Red fruit flows across the tongue with impressive clarity, supported by silky tannins and a mineral line that drives the wine forward. Flavours of cherry, pomegranate, strawberry compote, and subtle spice mingle with herbs and the distinct stony note that defines Terra Sancta. There is a lovely interplay of richness and finesse, a hallmark of Bannockburn fruit. The finish is long and fresh with lingering red berry brightness, savoury notes, and that quiet hum of schist that keeps drawing you in for another sip.

Food pairings shine when they reflect the wine’s brightness and savoury detail. Try roast duck with orange glaze, venison carpaccio, mushroom risotto, char siu pork, grilled salmon, or beetroot tarts with goat cheese. Soft herbs like thyme and rosemary echo the wine’s natural aromatics.

Cellar potential is strong. It will age five to eight years, gaining more earthy depth, dried flowers, forest floor, and darker fruit while retaining the freshness that makes it so compelling in youth.