Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2020

True to it's Bannockburn home, this 2020 vintage opens with vibrant aromas of cherry and berries. Complemented by a subtle hint of spice from the careful use of oak. An energetic palate of red cherry, strawberry and black plums leads to a long finish framed by firm, fine tannins.

The grapes for the wines that carry the Mt Difficulty Bannockburn label are subject to two strict criteria: they are managed under the umbrella of the Mt Difficulty viticultural team and must be sourced from vineyards situated on the South side of the Kawarau River at Bannockburn. Each has a specific terroir, largely influenced by climate, and offers a variety of soil types from open gravels to heavier clays. They are all low in fertility, and include light sands, clays, loams and gravels. Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir is blended from a range of Bannockburn vineyards, with the majority of grapes coming from earlier plantings which are predominantly clones 5, 6 and 10/5. More recent plantings are a mix of Dijon clones: 113, 115, 667 & 777.

Where possible, we try to co-ferment different clonal lots from the same vineyard, while vineyards are kept separate. Around three quarters of our ferments were de-stemmed only; the remaining quarter contained 15-60% whole clusters. The must underwent 8-9 days of cold maceration, being hand plunged once daily.

In oak barrel. 25% New, 25% 1 year old, 50% 2-5 years old.