Description
The 2021 Dicey Bannockburn Pinot Noir is the flagship red from the Dicey brothers, James and Matt. Sourced from their estate vineyards—The Inlet and Black Rabbit—this wine is a definitive expression of the Bannockburn sub-region, known for its rugged landscape and intense, structured Pinot Noirs.
The 2021 vintage in Central Otago was small but exceptional, characterized by a cool spring followed by a warm, stable summer. This resulted in low yields of highly concentrated fruit with a “vibrant, polished” quality that critics have noted as one of the region’s best in recent years.
The Craft: Precision and Place
The winemaking approach for the 2021 vintage emphasizes the “struggle” of the land while maintaining a sophisticated “pinosity.”
Vineyard Blend: A composition of 60% The Inlet and 40% Black Rabbit vineyards.
Technique: The fruit was 95% destemmed with 5% whole clusters added for aromatic lift and structural “savory” notes. It underwent 23 days on skins (including a 7-day cold soak) to extract deep color and firm tannins.
Maturation: Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (20% new). It was bottled unfined and filtered in October 2022 to preserve its natural intensity and “earthy” core.
Biodynamic Focus: The wine is crafted from grapes grown under Demeter-certified biodynamic and sustainable practices.
The Appearance: Deep garnet with a dark red-black core.
The Nose: An alluringly scented bouquet of dark cherry, dried raspberry, and hibiscus. As it opens, secondary notes of orange peel, anise, and “stony” mineral earth emerge.
The Palate: Elegant and focused. The entry is a “cavalcade” of red fruits—strawberry and cherry—supported by a core of savoury herbs (sage and thyme) and barrel spices like clove and a touch of dark chocolate.
The Finish: Long and intense. It maintains a “lip-smacking freshness” and a fine, silken texture that balances its natural Central Otago power.
