2025 Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Gris, Central Otago

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Gris is a benchmark expression of Central Otago, grown on the sun soaked terraces of Bannockburn where schist and loess soils, high altitude and huge day to night temperature swings create wines of incredible intensity and clarity. These old glacial soils drain freely, forcing the vines to dig deep and produce small, flavour packed berries with naturally high acidity and striking aromatic detail. Mt Difficulty has been one of the pioneers of Bannockburn, farming these rugged vineyards since the early days of the region and shaping a style that balances richness with tension, always letting the dramatic Otago landscape speak through the wine.

The wine pours a pale gold with a hint of copper, opening with aromas of pear, white peach, quince and a touch of spice and wildflowers. On the palate it is textural and mouth filling yet beautifully fresh, layering ripe stone fruit, citrus peel and a gentle mineral grip that keeps everything lively and focused. It is superb with roast pork, spicy Asian dishes, seafood and creamy mushroom based plates, and it also has the balance to age for five to eight years, gaining more honeyed, nutty and savoury complexity as it evolves.