Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn 2022

Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world producing serious Pinot Noir. Felton Road is the benchmark. Blair Walter farms biodynamically, uses whole-cluster fermentation, and makes a wine that tastes like it came from the Cote de Nuits — except it costs $50 instead of $200. The 2022 Bannockburn is cherry and dark plum, a little earth, a little spice, tannins like silk. It has the transparency that great Pinot Noir has — you can taste the place, not just the grape. Is it Burgundy? No. Is it worth the money compared to what Burgundy charges for the same quality? Without question.