Central Otago's Finest Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir

The 2021 Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir is the flagship expression from one of Central Otago's most celebrated producers — a single-vineyard wine drawn from the Bannockburn sub-region's most prized sites. Fragrant, punchy, and possessed of excellent length, this is Central Otago Pinot Noir at its most compelling.

My Wine Man on Mt Difficulty

Mt Difficulty has been farming the steep, schist-driven slopes of Bannockburn since the late 1990s, and has established itself as one of the region's benchmark producers. The Bannockburn Pinot is their single-vineyard statement — a step above the Roaring Meg in concentration and complexity, drawing on the estate's oldest and most expressive blocks. If you want to understand what makes Central Otago Pinot Noir so exciting, this is the bottle to open.

Tasting Notes

A fragrant nose of cherries, leafy notes, sweet spices, smoke, and vanilla. Medium-bodied with sleek tannins and bright acidity — punchy and crunchy with freshness and a core of fruit on the mid-palate. The finish is flavourful with excellent length.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-bodied with a fresh, vibrant character and sleek tannins. Drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop through 2028–2030. Decant for 30 minutes, or open and allow to breathe in the glass.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$289, the Bannockburn delivers single-vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir with genuine depth and provenance at a price that is hard to argue with. Mt Difficulty's track record for consistency and quality makes this a reliable choice for any occasion — from a special dinner to a serious cellar addition.

Looking for a Different Style?

Explore more from Mt Difficulty and Central Otago:

• 2022 Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Noir — same producer, approachable entry-level sibling at a lower price
• 2020 Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Noir — previous vintage Roaring Meg with additional bottle age
• 2023 Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir — peer single-vineyard Bannockburn Pinot, a serious step-up

Life's too short for bad wine.