The Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023 is a vibrant, fruit-driven expression of one of New Zealand’s most renowned Pinot Noir regions. In the glass, it opens with an inviting bouquet of blackberry, red cherry and macerated strawberry, accented by a touch of liquorice, baking spice and pain grillé from balanced oak handling. The palate is ripe and full, echoing the berry fruit from the nose, framed by supple tannins and a lingering finish.

Sourced from Mt Difficulty’s Cromwell Basin vineyards, with the addition of fruit from Bendigo to provide depth and darker edge, this Pinot Noir benefits from meticulous vineyard management and careful winemaking. Grapes were harvested both by hand and machine before being destemmed to preserve fruit purity. Fermentation lasted around 25 days at peak temperatures of 28–30 °C, with gentle plunging to extract flavour and tannin. After fermentation, the wine was pressed and matured in French oak (15% new) for 10 months, resting on lees for added texture and undergoing malolactic fermentation before bottling.

The 2023 season was one of contrasts, beginning with a mild, wet winter and warm spring that led to excellent fruit set. A record-hot January accelerated ripening before a welcome cool spell in April extended the vintage, delivering exceptional flavour concentration and tannin balance.

Elegant yet approachable, this Pinot Noir is a versatile food companion. Pair it with duck confit, roasted pork belly, lamb rack, or mushroom risotto, where its ripe berry flavours and savoury spice notes shine.