Swiftsure Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023 (by Man O’ War)

Swiftsure Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023 (by Man O’ War)"Ripe, plush and oaky, this is a chunky wine with masses of woody grip and chocolaty tannins encasing the jammy blackcurrant and plum fruit. Muscular and chewy, it needs food to temper the structure. Clearly very ripe and heavily worked, this is right on the edge of overdone and will suit drinkers who usually prefer bigger reds. Though there is fair concentration here for bottle ageing, which will soften the tannins to some degree, it will never come

"Ripe, plush and oaky, this is a chunky wine with masses of woody grip and chocolaty tannins encasing the jammy blackcurrant and plum fruit. Muscular and chewy, it needs food to temper the structure. Clearly very ripe and heavily worked, this is right on the edge of overdone and will suit drinkers who usually prefer bigger reds. Though there is fair concentration here for bottle-ageing, which will soften the tannins to some degree, it will never come into the more classical elegant balance typical of pinot noir" Stephen Wong, The Real Review, Jan 2026

Established across gentle north-facing slopes on a natural river terrace, our Bannockburn vineyard is planted exclusively in Pinot Noir. The inaugural release of Swiftsure Bannockburn Pinot Noir has a powerful aromatic; both fruitful and savoury with boysenberry, rhubarb and cherry blossom interwoven with tendrils of smoke and a faint scent of nori. The palate shows good density with a succession of berry fruit characters and a touch more of the umami feel. The tannins are wrapped in the warmth of vintage days with a vibrancy that evokes the cool jewelled Central Otago night sky. This beautifully crafted Pinot Noir is a fine expression of the Bannockburn sub- region; intense but perfumed, poised yet slightly wild. Structured with finesse, designed for long-term aging and an equal measure of youthful exuberance that will reward early drinking.