Subtly powerful and refined in the glass, its darkish fruit is finely packed around a supple core of depth, freshness and mineral layering. A big leap over other Central Pinot at the price, drink this now or cellar it a good while.

"The soil is deep gold-bearing gravels deposited by receding glaciers about 480,000 years ago. The area was intensively mined for gold throughout the 1800s, the claim here was held by the Deep Lead & Doctors Flat Mining Co. However, the gold and gravel of the vineyard block were left largely undisturbed.

To the benefit of Pinot Noir: at around 8 metres deep the gravels offer a large volume of soil for roots to explore and abundant minerals resources. The meagre water holding capacity and energy needed to draw sustenance from such depth checks vigour and produces balanced vines.

At about 100m above Lake Dunstan it is cooler than most Bannockburn vineyards, with an increased risk of poor crop levels, but in return the fruit gains in flavour, identity and balance.

The three hectares of Pinot Noir were planted in 2002: five blocks combining two rootstocks and three Dijon clones (114, 115 and 777) on VSP trellis. The clones, selections from Burgundy, have adapted perfectly and are more at home than the original Central Otago selections."

This wine would pair very well a duck leg confit with roasted baby carrots or pan fried marinated pork chops with chestnuts and kale.