Quartz Reef 2017 Bendigo Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Central Otago)

This vintage of renowned biodynamic winemaker Rudi Bauer's single-vineyard Pinot, from the Bendigo subregion, is an expressive and highly pleasurable drop now, but, like all of his Pinots, also has cellaring potential. Billowing from the glass are plums, blueberries, violets and heaps of baking spice, then more savory, earthy notes of black olives, stones and a slight sanguine character. The spiciness, from both the fruit and the oak, is more prominent on the palate, but combine it with juicy fruit, pristine acidity and poised, laser-focused tannins and the result is a wine of depth and elegance that speaks of its place. Drink now–2028. Christina Pickard