The complete epitome of this iconic wine. Dark fruits, crushed herbs, silky but palpable texture, weightless power, chocolate tannins with wafts of smoky mocha, followed by the length that defines its reputation. When a wine is this true to its hallmarks, one is left with very little to say.

Felton Road farms four properties totalling 34 ha in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. Block 3 is situated on a gentle north facing slope in the heart of The Elms vineyard where a deep bench of silt soil is interspersed with calcareous seams. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity.

The unique gravity flow winery enabled the grapes to be gently destemmed directly into open-top fermenters without pumping, retaining 25% as whole clusters. Traditional fermentation with a moderately long maceration on skins has extracted good colour and tannin with considerable depth of flavour. This wine was aged for 13 months in 30% new French oak barrels from artisan Burgundian coopers. In accordance with our non-interventionalist approach to winemaking, this wine was fermented with indigenous yeast and was not fined or filtered.

"Complex and aromatic with flowers, strawberries, salt and perfume. Medium-bodied with very fine velvety tannins that give great length and presence. Very long and intense. Old vines planted in 1992. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Impressive to drink now but will age so beautifully. Screw cap. 97 points."
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (October 2023)

"The 2022 Block 3 Pinot Noir is muscular and savory on the nose, with sumac spice, kirsch, pepper berries, a hint of Szechuan peppercorn and caper berries. In the mouth, the wine flows effortlessly. The tannins are pronounced and firm, but they move in line with the fruit and bear no obstruction, spooling as they do through the long finish. The freshness of acidity through the middle to back palate is of particular attraction; it feels juicy and saturating rather than awkward or tangy. It's a powerful wine. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink to 2036. 94 points."
Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate (December 2023)

"Bannockburn. Certified organic and biodynamic.
Light ruby. Very delicate and charming. The fruit is extra-pure (red cherries, redcurrant) and has a lively floral character. Silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a gentle smokiness in the very long finish make this wine just delightful. Drink 2023-2037. 17+ points."
Florencia Gomez, Jancis Robinson Purple Pages (April 2024)