{"product_id":"2018-mt-difficulty-pipeclay-terrace-pinot-noir-750ml","title":"2018 Mt Difficulty Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdl class=\"col-12 mb-0 px-0\"\u003e\n\u003cdd class=\"mb-4 ml-0\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2018 Mt Difficulty Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an exceptional single-vineyard wine from Bannockburn, Central Otago, representing one of the finest expressions of Pinot Noir produced by Mt Difficulty. Crafted in very limited quantities and released only in outstanding vintages, Pipeclay Terrace showcases the remarkable concentration, elegance and complexity achievable from one of New Zealand's most celebrated Pinot Noir regions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocated along Felton Road in Bannockburn, Pipeclay Terrace is one of Mt Difficulty's four original vineyards, with vines planted in 1996. The vineyard features a distinctive combination of coarse, drought-prone Bannockburn soils and heavier clay soils associated with Scotland Point. These contrasting soil profiles contribute to the wine's depth, structure and distinctive sense of place.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2018 growing season was particularly memorable, beginning with exceptionally warm conditions before transitioning into a cooler, wetter late summer and autumn. This unusual combination allowed the grapes to develop impressive concentration while preserving freshness and aromatic complexity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Pinot Noir was harvested by hand on 15 and 20 March 2018, with selected Dijon clones co-fermented to enhance integration and complexity. A portion of the fruit underwent whole-cluster fermentation, followed by gentle extraction and natural fermentation. The wine was subsequently matured for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e15 months in French oak barrels, including 26% new oak\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered in November 2019. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bouquet is beautifully expressive, revealing lifted aromas of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eviolet, blackberry and black cherry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, complemented by subtle earthy undertones, savoury spice and delicate floral perfume.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn the palate, the wine is concentrated yet remarkably precise, with dense dark berry fruits flowing through a supple, finely structured mid-palate. Fine-grained tannins provide definition and texture, while subtle earthy complexity balances the richness of the fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs the wine opens, layers of wild cherry, roasted meat, ground coffee, Sichuan pepper, leather, cocoa and black tea contribute further savoury complexity. The finish is long, structured and persistent, with lingering dark fruit and floral notes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is a powerful yet refined Central Otago Pinot Noir, combining impressive concentration with aromatic elegance and excellent ageing potential. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAwards, Ratings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e97 Points – James Suckling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAwarded 97 points in James Suckling's 2019 tasting report, recognising the wine's exceptional quality and distinctive single-vineyard character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e92 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePraised for its concentrated, savoury character, dense tannin structure and complex layers of dark fruit, spice and earthy notes. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProducer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mt Difficulty Wines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pipeclay Terrace\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVariety:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pinot Noir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2018\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVine Planting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1996\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 15 \u0026amp; 20 March 2018\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaturation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 15 months in French oak (26% new)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 14.5%\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClosure:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Screwcap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBottle Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 750ml\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dry, Medium-to-Full-Bodied Pinot Noir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBottling:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unfined and Unfiltered\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrinking Window:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2023–2033 (estimated, depending on storage conditions)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood Pairing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Roast duck breast, venison, herb-crusted lamb, grilled quail, wild mushroom risotto, truffle dishes and aged cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCellaring Potential\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2018 Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir is now entering an attractive stage of maturity, offering a compelling combination of concentrated dark fruit, savoury complexity and developing tertiary characteristics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith the producer indicating a cellaring potential of approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, carefully stored bottles should continue to develop through the late 2020s and into the early 2030s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors seeking a more structured and age-worthy expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir, Pipeclay Terrace represents an excellent step above Mt Difficulty's regional Bannockburn and Roaring Meg releases.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e","brand":"SSS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67692111200558,"sku":"3921454917","price":93.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/6596\/6894\/files\/2018MtDifficultyPipeclayTerracePinotNoir750ml.png?v=1791689839","url":"https:\/\/www.jcfinewines.au\/products\/2018-mt-difficulty-pipeclay-terrace-pinot-noir-750ml","provider":"JC FINE WINES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}