2023 Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir

94 pts
The estate blend from Terra Sancta's oldest vines. Delicious, lighter-framed Otago Pinot.

Price:
Sale price$45.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Terra Sancta is located at the end of Felton Road, the most famous stretch of dirt in Bannockburn, but things are done a little differently here. It’s a wild little ecosystem of hens, goats and vines sitting on top of old gold rush tailings. This Estate Pinot isn't just a generic blend; it’s built on the back of the oldest vines on the property, specifically the Slapjack and Sarah’s blocks, which dig deep into that complex mix of schist and limestone.

The 2023 vintage wasn't a walk in the park. A freezing spring and a high frost risk meant the team had to fight for the crop, followed by a long, cool run into harvest. That struggle has paid off in the glass. This isn't a big, jammy fruit bomb; the cool season has tightened everything up, delivering a wine with serious nerve and energy.

It pours a medium ruby and immediately smells like Bannockburn: dark brambles, violets and that signature savoury kick of licorice and nutmeg. It’s got plenty of dark plum weight to it, but the texture is what grabs you- it coats the mouth while staying spicy and fresh. It’s polished, sure, but it’s got a bit of grit and personality to it.

94 points
"Light in colour but with power that builds in the mid-palate and helps drive a lengthy finish."
- Bob Campbell MW (The Real Review)

Bob Campbell MW

Bob Campbell MW

The Real Review 94 Points

Spicy, peppery pinot noir with an attractive savoury edge to a core of ripe fruit flavours. Light in colour but with power that builds in the mid-palate and helps drive a lengthy finish. Should develop well with bottle age.

TASTING NOTE
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Medium ruby, with a lifted and alluring perfume of brambles, violets and red berries.
On the palate outstanding quality Pinot Noir from select blocks of Terra Sancta Estate is
evident in its complexity and harmony, with vivacious bright red berries, plums, spice
and minerality. With a full mouth feel and tannins that coat the palate, this is an
elegant Bannockburn Pinot Noir displaying the character and beauty of its
Bannockburn birth place.
VINEYARD
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The Estate Pinot Noir expresses the unique terroir of Terra Sancta Estate on Felton
Road, reflecting the aspect, soil type, vine age and microclimate of each block that
contributes to the final Estate Pinot Noir. Fruit in the darker berries and stone fruit
spectrum is a hallmark of the Felton Road side of Bannockburn which is evident in this
wine. This wine’s depth and character can be attributed to the majority of fruit being
sourced from our oldest vines on Slapjack Block and Sarah’s Block.
VINTAGE
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A cold spring with a high number of frosts got the season off to a shaky start, however
dedicated frost-fighting protected our vines during budburst. Timely rainfall and warm
weather during late spring and early summer created ideal growing conditions all the
way through to early March when frosts struck again. Harvest began on 24 March
however cool weather and rain slowed ripening, prolonging the harvest period with
the last fruit picked on 4 May. The 2023 vintage is characterised by minerality, purity,
and precision.
VINIFICATION
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Picked early to capture natural acidity and freshness, the Estate Pinot Noir was
fermented with wild yeast and aged for 10 months in a mixture of barrique and large
format oak. Made with no additives, it was neither fined nor filtered, and was bottled
on site at Terra Sancta in March 2024.

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type Red
Body Light Bodied
Variety Pinot Noir
Country New Zealand
Region Central Otago
Reviewed By The Real Review
Critic Score 94
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

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