TERRA SANCTA WINES Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Just the second ever bottling of this extremely limited single vineyard bottling of Pinot Noir from the iconic Felton Road.

Nanny Goat is a Central Otago winery specialising in Pinot Noir. Its name derives from the fact that much of the country is rough, dry, mountainous and desolate – seemingly suitable only for goats. Apparently, the brand’s owner, Aussie John Valmorbida, was climbing up to a hilltop restaurant near Queenstown when the goat idea struck him. It is rather appropriate. Hand picked and destemmed the fruit was sourced exclusively from their vineyards in Queensberry before going into into small open top fermenters, with the final blend containing 26% whole bunch. The individual fermenters underwent a short pre-fermentation maceration before fermenting naturally and being left on skins for up to 32 days before pressing. After a brief period of settling, the wine was roughly racked, taking a small portion of light lees and transferred to 225L French oak barriques (27% new) where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation and matured for 11 months before being racked, blended and bottled. Typical of Queensberry Pinot Noir, the nose is dark and brooding yet beautifully perfumed. Blueberry and boysenberry notes are layered amongst florals suggestive of rose petal and violets. Toasted sweet baking spices are interwoven with dried herbs, black Doris plum and an intriguing whole bunch derived herbaceous lift. The palate is taut and powerful with powdery fine tannins up front lending a sinewy elegance. A fine streak of acidity offers a lively backdrop to the abundant berry fruits, presenting a wine that is both powerful and dense yet beautifully light on its feet.

In 1991, the Slapjack Block made history as the first vineyard planted in Bannockburn. Featuring 13 clones, the site sits at 250 metres above sea level on soils of dense glacial schist with a thin clay topping. The mature vines are certified organic with the low yields of fruit ushered into a singular expression of pinot noir made with minimal intervention. Slapjack is the pinnacle of Terra Sancta’s pinot noir program. As a single vineyard wine, from some of the most unique terroir in the world, it transmutes outstanding character and complexity with power and poise. Full-bodied, svelte, and intriguing, Slapjack is made to cellar gracefully but will drink beautifully at any age. Terra Sancta’s philosophy is to question everything. They master tried and true methodologies while challenging convention, and always striving for better. While pinot noir is the heart of their portfolio, Terra Sancta also produces fine regional examples of chardonnay, pinot gris, and riesling.