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.

The 2007 Pinot Noir is a great success for the estate, one I regard as a huge leap forward. It has “soft” nose, dark cherry, a touch of raspberry leaf and a scent of charcoal: subtle with good definition. The palate is medium-bodied, firm tannins, good structure here and very good acidity. Beautiful poise, vibrant dark fruits with a tangible sense of tension on the off-dry finish. Bon vin! 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 superior 2006 Pinot Noir is matured in French oak (30% new.) It exhibits greater delineation and joie-de-vivre on the nose with Doris plum, and mulberry, touches of dark chocolate, the palate full-bodied with firm tannic structure and a dry, almost austere finish. I think this will improve in bottle so give it another year or so.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

The 2005 Pinot Noir is reticent on the nose with dark cherry and a touch of chalk, the palate displaying good definition but rather brooding and lacking some exuberance. 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