The Akarua vineyard is a unique site, measuring 52 hectares, 34.5 of which planted with vines. The estate is tucked into the foothills of the mountains rising above Kawarua River upstream of Lack Dunstan, in the midst of a breathtaking landscape. Located in Bannockburn in the Central Otago region, the vineyard occupies three west-facing terraces and enjoys intense sun all year round. This outstanding terroir lends remarkable character to the Pinot Noir in a reflection of the spectacular mountains surrounding the estate. Floral and spicy, it has a nose of raspberries and blackcurrant, while the pallet derives of black cherry.

A classic Marlborough Pinot Noir, showing ripe red berry fruits, plum, chocolate and hints of nutmeg. The palate has a seamless combination of concentrated tannins and a rich supple texture. Delicious drinking now, this wine will soften and gain more complex truffle, smoke, and dried fruit notes with further bottle age.

The Babich Black Label range is crafted specifically to complement food. This Pinot Noir is warm and soft in style with delicately textured tannins. Red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry conserve, touch of forest floor, cinnamon and cedar. Fruit-driven, plums layered with cherry and cranberry echo from the nose. Earthy undertones, oyster mushroom, fine coating tannins and hints of dried herbs. Complex, balanced and elegant.

In the early 1980's Babich Wines was the first New Zealand wine company to win a Gold Medal for Pinot Noir, and that legacy of excellence remains. From their 100% certified sustainable vineyards in Marlborough's prime subregions, comes this smoothly luxurious Pinot Noir. Silky where it should be and expressive where it counts - bright cherry, plum and earthy flavours. A little spice and a soft, welcoming finish.

The wine is a deep red, exhibiting lifted cherry, raspberry and plum characters on the nose, complexed with charry and chocolate characters and subtle dried herb notes. Plum and cherry flavour comes through on the palate which is sweet and rich with supple tannins, hints of herbs and subtle oak influence.

This wine presents aromas of plums, blackberries and hints of cherries, liquorice and smoky oak that add to the complexity. The palate is rich and velvety, full of sweet berry fruit flavours, finishing with complex layers of spice and soft savoury tannins.

The Bannockburn Pinot Noir is Carrick's flagship wine and known for its structure and ability to age well over a long period of time. It has a lovely aroma with notes of fresh blackberries, raspberry coulis and vanilla. It's complex and layered on the palate, the tannins are soft and build, alongside notes of wood smoke, leather and black pepper. It's long and powerful, with plenty of years ahead of it to gather further detail.

Elegant and expressive aromas with remarkable touches of fresh strawberries and traces of raspberries. At the end some soft hints of rose petals appear that are complemented with delicate French oak barrel flavours like cedar and tobacco. The palate is elegant with a correct presence of tannins and the barrel notes are well integrated.

The McDonald Series wines are an expression of both their fruit and the vision of their namesake winemaker. Beautifully fragrant, this wine is built around a core of bright red and black fruit, overlaid with beautiful floral, spice and fresh thyme notes, with subtle oak in support. On the palate the wine is lithe, fresh and juicy with a gentle finish. An elegant yet energetic Pinot Noir.

Elegant and refined, the foundation Tiwha instantly captivates with a rich perfume of black forest, wet earth, exotic anise seed, fragrant wild roses, with a savoury hint of wild thyme, green olives, and dusted cocoa. Delicate, yet well structured tannin is supported by an oak finesse, framing the brambled palate. Sweet yet savoury notes of black currant and dark black cherry are well balanced with a brickish minerality that flows through to finish the wine. Evolution from time in the glass is rewarded.

The Devil's Staircase takes the willing down into the realm of decadence and bacchanalian delights. Here everything is pleasure, spiced up with a dash of naughtiness. The unrelenting environment tortures the vines whose twisted limbs produce wine worthy of absolution. These wines are sinfully succulent and devilishly good.

Pinot Noir; notoriously difficult to cultivate, but with luck, love & perfect conditions, she will reward you with the performance of a life time - a minx & a devil in disguise, a Fickle Mistress. Central Otago's cool climate consistently produces exceptional red fruit flavours of cherry, raspberry and redcurrant, but with concentration and length to match. This wine is layered with black and red berry fruits, complemented by blossoming aromas of dark plum.