2023 Scout Central Otago Pinot Noir

Region: Central Otago  |  Grape: Pinot Noir

About The Wine

A pure, unbridled expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir — vibrant, structured, and deeply rooted in place.

This wine comes from the Muirkirk Vineyard on Felton Road, in the heart of Bannockburn. The site is a patchwork of wind-blown loess, silty clay, and dense clay-loam over layers of schist and quartz gravels — a classic Bannockburn soil profile that offers both power and precision.

These soils lend natural concentration, fine tannin structure, and a deep sense of minerality to the wine. Hand-picked Clone 5 Pinot Noir was wild fermented with 30% whole bunch.

Ferments were gently worked — pumped over and only lightly plunged — to preserve finesse and avoid over-extraction. After 30 days on skins, the wine was pressed and matured in French oak barrels (10% new) to add subtle depth without overshadowing the vineyard character.

Bright, energetic and focused, with silky tannins and a long, mineral finish. A wine that speaks clearly of Bannockburn and the soils of Muirkirk.

About Scout Wines

Scout Wines is the expression of more than a decade of global winemaking experience, curiosity, and careful observation. Founded in 2017 by Sarah Adamson and partner Greg Lane, Scout draws its name from Harper Lee’s iconic character — a questioner and observer — reflecting their philosophy of challenging convention while letting place speak.

Based in Central Otago, Sarah’s pared-back, detail-driven winemaking focuses on blending and balance, shaped by the region’s extreme climate, complex soils, and distinct sub-regions including Bannockburn, Lowburn, Cromwell and Bendigo.

The result is a range of terroir-driven wines that combine precision, minerality and quiet confidence, delivering exceptional quality and value from one of New Zealand’s most compelling wine landscapes.

Snapshot

Region: Central Otago

Country: New Zealand

Alcohol: 13.5%

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml

Closure: Cork

Varietal: Pinot Noir