{"title":"Mt Difficulty","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"2023-mt-difficulty-bannockburn-pinot-noir","title":"2023 Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir","description":"\u003cp\u003eMt Difficulty’s 2023 Bannockburn Pinot Noir is a bold and beautifully crafted expression of one of New Zealand’s most iconic wine regions. With a legacy that stretches back to the late 1990s, Mt Difficulty has built a reputation for producing premium Pinot Noir, and this wine more than upholds that standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSourced from estate and winery-managed vineyards on the southern side of the Kawarau River, this Pinot showcases the unique terroir of Bannockburn. Low fertility soils—ranging from light sands to clays and gravels—combine with the region’s extreme diurnal shifts to produce fruit of exceptional intensity and complexity. A mix of older clones (5, 6, and 10\/5) and Dijon selections (113, 115, 667, 777) adds further nuance to the blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's quintessential Central Otago Pinot, with aromas of dark cherries, warm spice, and hints of dried herbs and cedar. On the palate, blackberry, plum, and raspberry notes take centre stage, supported by fine, web-like tannins that provide structure and depth. The finish is long and layered, with a touch of spice and earthy complexity that lingers beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you drink it now or cellar it for a decade, this is one of the most bankable Pinots in Central Otago. It’s a true showcase of Mt Difficulty’s skill and the remarkable Bannockburn terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mt Difficulty","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41283129376811,"sku":"2023 Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir","price":52.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2022MtDifficultyBannockburnPinotNoir_fa02ff53-4e25-40a2-9326-39206952ea32.webp?v=1737606260"},{"product_id":"2023-mt-difficulty-roaring-meg-pinot-noir","title":"2023 Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoaring Meg has always been the easygoing side of Mt Difficulty’s lineup - still very much Central Otago, but without the need for serious cellaring or ceremony. The 2023 vintage keeps that spirit alive, offering a plush, fruit-driven Pinot made for uncomplicated enjoyment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit comes from vineyards across the Cromwell Basin, with a bit of Bendigo in the mix this year adding extra depth and darker fruit notes. It was a warm, fast-paced vintage, but a cool spell late in the season helped stretch things out, bringing nice balance to the ripeness. Winemaking sticks to the script: destemmed fruit, gentle plunging, 10 months in mostly older French oak, and a soft touch in the cellar to keep the focus on bright, juicy Pinot fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat you get is a wine that’s ripe, fresh, and straight-up easy to drink. It’s not chasing complexity or weight - it’s about clean fruit, smooth tannins, and sheer drinkability. Pop it any night of the week; no excuse needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Immediately expressive with aromas of violet, blackberry and cherry, hints of clove and smoky spice... Plush, drink-now style.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Stephen Wong (The Real Review)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Mt Difficulty","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41422871363627,"sku":"2023 Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2023MtDifficultyRoaringMegPinotNoir.png?v=1746415856"},{"product_id":"2024-mt-difficulty-bannockburn-pinot-gris","title":"2024 Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Gris","description":"\u003cp\u003eMt Difficulty’s Bannockburn Pinot Gris has always leant toward the richer, more textural side of the variety, and the 2024 vintage keeps that streak going. The fruit comes from several estate vineyards across Bannockburn, each bringing its own little twist to the blend - from stony, dry sites to patches of heavier clay, all shaped by Central Otago’s classic combo of warm days and cool nights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a warm, dry season, producing small, concentrated berries with plenty of flavour. The winemaking keeps things interesting: wild ferments, a stint in a concrete egg for added texture, and a good stretch on lees to build weight. The result is exactly what you want from a Central Otago Pinot Gris - full-flavoured, fleshy, but carried by that bright regional acidity that keeps everything in check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a white that can handle a bit of thought but doesn’t ask for it—drink it now while it’s fresh and lively, or let it settle into itself over a few years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Subtle but innately complex pinot gris. Sweet apple, dried herb and nectarine build towards honeyed, quince flavours on an almost dry finish.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Stephen Wong (The Real Review)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Mt Difficulty","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41422872903723,"sku":"2024 Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Gris","price":27.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2024MtDifficultyBannockburnPinotGris.png?v=1746416222"},{"product_id":"2024-mt-difficulty-roaring-meg-pinot-gris","title":"2024 Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Gris","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is Mt Difficulty’s crowd-pleaser white, and it does the job well. Grown in Central Otago’s Bannockburn region, it’s made in a clean, fruit-led style with just a touch of sweetness to soften things out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything’s done in stainless, no oak, no tricks — just fresh pear, green apple, a bit of citrus and a subtle ginger note kicking around in the background. There's enough texture to keep it from feeling too lean, but it still finishes dry and tidy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the kind of white you can open without thinking too much — good with salty snacks, spicy food, or just sitting in the fridge waiting for the next warm afternoon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mt Difficulty","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42455558389803,"sku":"2024 Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Gris","price":22.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2024MtDifficultyRoaringMegPinotGris.webp?v=1762222286"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.differentdrop.com\/collections\/mt-difficulty.oembed","provider":"Different Drop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}