Terra Sancta Jacksons Block Pinot Noir 2024
It started with a map in a dark library and an epiphany. Which led to an Alchemist-like journey to Bannockburn to discover the mysteries of wine and this special place.
A wise man once said, “find the best vineyard sites you can because you can’t out perform your vineyards”. Guided by this wisdom, a process of following the signs, finally led to this far corner of the world, Bannockburn, Central Otago and the Sancta vineyard, home to the first vines planted in Bannockburn.
Once on the migratory path of Maori in search of Pounamu - Bannockburn was settled in 1862 during the gold rush. Felton Road is now a meandering country road of vines, mostly the Pinot Noir for which the region is famed, and orchards. It is also home to the “Mysterious Diggings” created by the gold sluicings from the 19th century gold rush and punctuated with wineries, cellar doors, the bike trail. The best street in New Zealand is also our home base - home to our Terra Sancta Estate vines, cellar door, winery and office, hens, sheep, goats, Hill of Health, Mound of Microbes - it is a vibrant and fascinating corner of the world.
Organically farmed, using no-till, regenerative practices, Jackson’s Block runs parallel to Felton Road. With vines planted in 1991 and 1995, 90% of the block is planted in a single clone of Pinot Noir (777). The 777 clone, on Jackson’s classic lake-bed loam, quartz and schist gravel soils exemplifies the best of Bannockburn. Known for delivering expressive, perfumed Pinot Noir, the 777 clone is ideally suited to schisty loam soils, delivering both power and elegance, with vine age resulting in consistency and complexity.
Favourable spring conditions led to a normal crop set. El Niño brought dry weather from mid-November to February, along with high winds across Central Otago, however Terra Sancta's sheltered sites fared well. A 24 January frost caused no major damage. A very dry summer ended by rain on 21 February, along with cool nights, supported steady ripening with harvest beginning on 26 March. Despite the challenges, our mature vines produced high-quality fruit, reflected across the board in the vibrant flavour and complexity of Terra Sancta’s 2024 Pinot Noirs.
Perfect alongside dry-aged beef, seared duck breast with a cherry reduction or earthy porcini dishes.
The nose is deep and layered, with black cherry, crushed blackberry and violet unfolding into flint and warm spice. Dark fruit intensity is interwoven with mineral tones and fine cedar.
The palate is concentrated and linear, driven by black cherry and liquorice with a firm mineral spine. Fine-grained tannins give the wine structure, precision and poise. Elegant and composed, it carries impressive depth and clarity through to a long, focused finish.
