Terra Sancta Slapjack Pinot Noir 2024 (750ml)

Slapjack has always been the more playful voice of Bannockburn Pinot, but in 2024 it steps into something altogether more profound.

The nose is layered and quietly powerful: blackberries and dried strawberry fold into bright cherry and cranberry, with notes of orange peel, plum skin and a fine thread of spice. There’s a graphite-like mineral edge and a subtle savoury complexity that speaks to the site and to the maturity of the own-rooted Dijon vines planted in 1991.

On the palate, it’s full-bodied yet beautifully composed — generous without ever feeling heavy. Juicy red fruit drives the front, but it’s the structure that defines the wine. The tannins are confident and finely formed, flowing seamlessly through the wine with polish and poise. There’s both energy and depth here: vibrant, expressive fruit wrapped around a powerful, integrated core that carries on for minutes.

From organically grown Bannockburn fruit, this is Central Otago Pinot with clarity, precision and serious intent. While immediately captivating, it will reward patience — cellar for three to four years and enjoy from 2028 onwards as the savoury and mineral nuances deepen.

A natural partner for crispy duck pancakes, roast duck with five spice, or miso-glazed eggplant — dishes that echo both its brightness and its structure.