Carrick Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2023
- 93
- $56
- Drink by: 2026-2034
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The team’s flagship Pinot Noir from some of the older vines in Central Otago, specifically from the Bannockburn sub-region, the clones include 10/5, 5 and 13. They use a small percentage of new oak in the maturation, which is normally for around ten to twelve months. Russet red in colour, this is still early days for this wine and one feels it is still coming together. A Pinot to be enjoyed down the track, although it will certainly drink beautifully now as well, it should be still drinking superbly in six to eight years’ time. The nose exhibits notes of red fruits, cold tea, mushrooms and strawberries. There is good length here and the wine is focused throughout, with a line of bright acidity. It finishes with ever-so-slightly gritty tannins.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
