The 2021 Dicey Black Rabbit Pinot Noir is a powerful single-vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir from the Black Rabbit Vineyard in Bannockburn, planted on a steep north-facing slope of ancient schist bedrock and loess soils. The wine is crafted from an equal blend of Clone 5, Clone 115 and Abel, with no whole bunches, fermented using indigenous yeasts and matured for 14 months in seasoned French oak barrels before bottling unfined. The bouquet is deep and brooding, offering aromas of blackberry, dark cherry and bramble, layered with hints of wild herbs, earthy spice and floral notes.
On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with impressive concentration, fine-grained tannins and vibrant natural acidity. Rich flavours of black cherry, blackberry and dark plum unfold alongside savoury earth, dried herbs and subtle spice, leading to a long, muscular and structured finish. The warm 2021 growing season produced small yields of intensely flavoured fruit, while gentle extraction and maturation in seasoned oak preserve the vineyard's purity and allow its distinctive schist-driven minerality to shine through. This is a serious, age-worthy Pinot Noir with remarkable depth and precision.
Ben's Recommendation: At Wine More Cellars, this is an exceptional choice for customers seeking a bold yet refined Central Otago Pinot Noir with depth, structure and outstanding ageing potential. Pair it with venison, roast duck, beef Wellington, slow-cooked lamb or wild mushroom dishes. While approachable after a gentle decant, this wine will continue to evolve beautifully over the next 15–20 years, rewarding patience with greater savoury complexity, elegance and finesse.
