Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024 from Central Otago’s Bannockburn sub‑region is a dark, seductive pinot that marries ripe fruit with real shape and precision in the glass. It is very much a flagship regional style – bold by pinot standards, yet still carrying that Bannockburn herb and mineral lift.

Aromas lead with red and black cherry, raspberry and blueberry, layered with Szechuan pepper, cardamom, star anise and subtle dried herb notes. The palate is plush with sweet cherry and blueberry, then shifts into earth, savoury nuance and baking‑spice framed by fine, silky tannins and fresh, juicy acidity that gives it drive and focus. That combination of fruit flood, mineral tension and length is what sets this Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024 apart.

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024 is in its element with duck, pork belly, mushroom dishes or herb‑roasted chicken, and it is a cracking match for charcuterie and semi‑hard cheeses too. With multiple 93–95 point reviews already on the board and plenty of structure, it will drink beautifully now with a decant and evolve gracefully through to around 2030.