98/100 James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, March 2024
One of the world's leading wine critics, James Suckling, announced the results of his New Zealand Pinot Noir tasting and leading the pack with a massive score of 98/100 is the Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir 2022. That is an impressive score for a wine selling at this price point, indicating the sheer drinking pleasure that it offers. Obviously as word has spread about this result, worldwide interest and demand for the wine has soared. If you are after a delicious, well priced Central Otago Pinot Noir then don't miss out on this – it won't be around for long!
Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir comes off Terra Sancta's Diggings Vineyard on the Cairnmuir side of Bannockburn. Purposefully made in an earlier drinking style, it is approachable yet sophisticated and downright delicious. Velvet in the mouth with bright fruit and sweet herb, the mystery here is how Terra Sancta can make a wine of this quality to sell at these kind of dollars.
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Medium bright ruby, the nose entices with lifted violets and lavender, accompanied by thyme and red berries. On the palate, a medley of red cherries, raspberries, and boysenberries is enriched by brambles, mocha and spice, which add complexity. Vibrant and energetic, yet with a soft, silky texture, its supple tannins make it very approachable. Balanced with a long finish, this is a characteristically vibrant, delicious Pinot Noir.
The Mysterious Diggings vineyard, planted in 1999 with six different clones, is one of the highest altitude vineyards in Bannockburn, Central Otago at 300 metres above sea level. The combination of elevation, northern aspect, steep slopes, multiple clones, original rootstock and sandy soils, consistently produces Pinot Noir that is brightly fruited, accessible and delicious at a young age.
The fruit from our 2022 vintage possesses the qualities Terra Sancta looks for in all our wines – purity and intensity of flavour. Our longest harvest on record due to good yields and a slow ripening period during April, our final day of harvest was 13 May. Minimal intervention in the winery with nothing added and nothing subtracted through fining or filtration, results in a delightful Pinot Noir with real character. Made with 100% wild fermentation, aging in neutral French oak barrels provides additional texture and inviting spice on the finish."
98/100 James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, March 2024 (2022 Vintage)
"Gorgeous aromas of fresh flowers, ripe strawberries and tangerine blossoms. Medium bodied with a lovely balance of fruit and acidity and creamy texture that is open and cashmere-like in texture. Wonderful finish. A triumph. A joy to drink. Drink or hold."
4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2022 Vintage)
"Crafted for early enjoyment, the ruby hued 2022 vintage offers fine value. Matured in French oak barrels (5 per cent new), it is markedly more complex than most sub-$30 Central Otago Pinot Noirs. Mouthfilling, sweet-fruited and supple, it is invitingly fragrant, with vibrant, cherryish, gently spicy flavours, smooth tannins, excellent harmony – and loads of drink-young appeal."
4 ½ Stars Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, August 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"Charming and elegantly fragrant on the nose with sweet cherry, thyme, roasted nut and smoked game nuances, leading to a finely flowing palate that's juicy and beautifully rounded. It's supple and smooth with a lingering silky finish. At its best: now to 2028."