Matured for 11 months in French oak, 20% new, the 2009 Pinot Noir provides a medium ruby-purple color and intense aromas of black cherry and black raspberry with some floral/wilted roses and lavender nuances plus whiffs of forest floor and black truffles. There’s stunning purity and nervy intensity on the palate with a high level of racy acidity cutting through the rich, medium to full bodied fruit and textured by a medium to firm level of finely grained tannins. The finish is long. Approachable as it may be, give this wine another year in bottle and enjoy it 2012 to 2016+. In the heart of Central Otago’s Bannockburn, Steve Green’s vineyards at Carrick may be teenagers, but are already beginning to provide a peek at just what they can produce. There are 22 hectare’s devoted to vines with the plantings taking place in 1994, 1996 and 1997. Jane Docherty has been the winemaker since 2008, taking over from Steve Davies. Owner Steve Green was in the process of negotiating with a new USA importer when I met with him.