Medium-deep ruby-purple in color, the 2010 Unravelled Pinot Noir offers moderate to intense black cherry and fresh blackberry aromas with some hints of fennel seed and cloves. Medium bodied and a little lacking in mid-palate concentration, it gives pure berry fruit flavors with crisp acid, a medium level of chewy tannins and a medium-long finish. Drinking now, it should hold its fruit to 2014. No known USA importer.

Fruit/barrels that don’t make the grade for the straight Carrick Pinot Noir label are normally (2008 vintage vagaries aside) declassified into the ‘Unraveled’ label. The 2009 Unraveled Pinot Noir has a medium ruby-purple color and pronounced black cherry and mulberry aromas with some violets, underbrush and spice box. This medium-full bodied wine follows-through with a good amount of berry fruit in the mouth supported by medium-high acid, a medium level of grainy tannins and a long finish. Drink it now through 2014. 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.

The 2008 Unravelled Pinot Noir has a lifted nose of raspberry and cranberry fruit, with a touch of redcurrant. Good definition, with a subtle smoky note coming through. The palate is medium-bodied, fine tannins, dark plum, raspberry and strawberry with a harmonious, quite elegant finish. Considering this is an entry-level Pinot, this is damn good. Winemaker in Steve Davis continues to produce a solid portfolio of wines from his Bannockburn winery and has overseen a stunning Pinot Noir.Importer: Leucadia Cellars & Estates, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 403-5740

The 2007 Unravelled Pinot Noir is better with again that plum-scented nose embellished with mulberry, briery and apricot – more feminine than the 2006 with a well-balanced, grainy-textured palate and greater sense of precision and focus. Located in Bannockburn, Central Otago, on the Cairnmuir Terraces, on gravel/sandy soil rich in silica, the emphasis here is upon Pinot Noir complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay. Winemaker Steve Davis has worked in California and Oregon.Importer: Leucadia Cellars & Estates, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 403-5740; fax (415) 399-1045

Moving on to the reds and Carrick’s entry-range entitled “Unravelled,” the 2006 Unravelled Pinot Noir has an attractive plum-scented nose with a simple, commercial but well-crafted palate with plum, mulberry and even a little Chinese 5-spice. Good density on the finish, this is decent, if not intellectual Pinot Noir. Located in Bannockburn, Central Otago, on the Cairnmuir Terraces, on gravel/sandy soil rich in silica, the emphasis here is upon Pinot Noir complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay. Winemaker Steve Davis has worked in California and Oregon.Importer: Leucadia Cellars & Estates, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 403-5740; fax (415) 399-1045