This vintage has produced a Pinot Noir displaying ripe rich aromatics; perfumed black fruits of the forest dominate the aroma and these are underpinned by lovely clove, anise and other brown spice notes. The wine displays lovely elegance and flows with striking precision and clarity. On the palate it kicks off with a supple dark berry entry, moving into a beautifully textured plush mid-palate, after which fine elegant textural tannins frame fruit and acidity on a lengthy finish. Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir will improve for 7-10 years given optimal vintage and cellaring conditions.

It’s this trade-off of acid for tannin that makes pinot noir so food friendly. Pinot works well with salmon and ocean trout, their (Omega 3-rich) oiliness lapped up by pinots exuberant acidity and is the perfect red with soft brie-style and washed-rind cheeses, coming into its own with blue cheese. Try a soft Saint Augur cheese from the Auvergne with the Celsius Pinot Noir for a new flavour sensation.

Winemakers comments: Viper Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in the Grandstand Block of the Viper Vineyard in the Parkburn area on the western side of Lake Dunstan. The vineyard takes it name from the wildflower ”Vipers Bugloss” that covers the area. This vineyard sits on an undulating terrace above the valley floor. The soils are predominantly sandy loam over red clay cemented schist gravel. The terrace enjoys moderate temperatures and a long growing season. Ripening tends to be late into the season as the daytime temperatures are cooling. The cooler ripening tends to produce spicy wines with dark fruit flavours and density on the palate. The Viper is always made from the Grandstand block in the vineyard and the wine always stands out as uniquely in the cellar as it does in the bottle. wine notes: Red cherries, peppery spice and purple florals lying over an earthy background make up a deep and sumptuous aroma. The palate is all about an effortless balance and dance between suppleness and structure, sweet cherry and dark spice, weight and elegance, poise and power and a long satisfying tail. harvest: 4th April 2019 in bottle: 5th November 2020 Brix 23.3 pH – 3.65 pH 3.29 TA – 5.4g/L TA 6.9g/L Alc. – 13.8%.

Winemaker’s comments: The Tiger Pinot Noir is a single vineyard wine made from grapes grown in our Tiger vineyard in the Lowburn sub-region. The vineyard is on sloping land up off the valley floor and this elevated cooler position allows the vineyard to ripen slowly, building layer upon layer of flavour nuance and soft silky tannins. The wines from this vineyard typically display spicy aromatic red berry fruits and violets. The palate is characterised by a broad structure and layers of fine integrated tannin and fruit which is more textural than structural. The Tiger is always quite shy and reticent in its youth and after 4-5 years in bottle it really blossoms and expresses itself. Wine notes: Opens with an aromatic potpourri of fresh red berry fruit, warm spice, and dried herbs. There are layers of fine silky tannins. The broad structure provides a seamless frame and space for the lingering interplay of red berry and savoury flavours slowly fading with calm persistent clarity and detail.

Remarkable in name and remarkable in nature. Hailing from the young, funky and cool region of Central Otago this Pinot Noir shows all the cherry richness we've come to expect. Add in the sheer approachability courtesy of the smattering of strawberry and red berry flavours and the silken, soft finish and you have an Otago bargain that is a must try.

The South Island of New Zealand is home to some of the worlds greatest new world Pinot Noir's and Central Otago can claim a large proportion of these. This superb Otago Pinot from South Island is an exotic light bodied red with wild fruit flavours of strawberry and ripe cherry and proves you don't have to break the bank to get great Otago Pinot Noir.

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. This Pinot noir displays lovely elegance and flow with striking precision and clarity. On the palate it kicks off with a supple dark berry entry, moving into a beautifully textured plush mid palate, after which fine elegant textural tannins frame fruit and acidity on a lengthy finish.