Peregrine 'Pinnacle' Pinot Noir 2022

Deep, layered & quietly powerful — this is Central Otago Pinot Noir at its most refined. The 2022 Peregrine Pinnacle Pinot Noir is a meticulously selected, small-batch expression from the elevated slopes of Central Otago. It delivers tension, purity and depth in a style that balances dark-fruited intensity with the hallmark elegance of cool-climate Pinot Noir.

Crafted as the pinnacle expression of the estate, this wine represents only the finest parcels from select vineyard blocks, capturing both the structure of Bendigo’s schist soils and the finesse that defines Peregrine’s winemaking philosophy.

Why This Wine Deserves Attention

The “Pinnacle” designation sits above Peregrine’s core range and is only produced when fruit quality meets exceptional standards. The 2022 vintage offered ideal ripening conditions in Central Otago, producing fruit with concentration, fine tannin structure and lifted aromatics.

This is not a simple Pinot Noir. It is a focused, cellar-worthy wine designed for complexity, longevity and serious Pinot Noir lovers seeking depth beyond entry-level regional expressions.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, deep ruby with a vivid core. Aromas open with dark cherry, wild blackberry and dried raspberry, unfolding into layers of violet, dried herbs, clove and subtle forest floor.

The palate is structured yet refined — black cherry and plum are framed by fine-grained tannins and cool-climate acidity. Savoury undertones of spice, crushed rock and dark cocoa build through the mid-palate, finishing long, precise and gently mineral.

Style Profile

• Body: Medium
• Sweetness: Dry
• Acidity: Medium–High
• Tannin: Fine and structured
• Oak: Integrated French oak influence
• Style: Structured • Elegant • Savoury • Layered • Age-worthy

Food Pairing

Built for food, this Pinot Noir shines with savoury, earthy and rich dishes:

• Duck breast with cherry glaze
• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder
• Venison with herb crust
• Mushroom risotto with truffle oil
• Pork belly with spice rub
• Aged hard cheeses

Producer Story

Peregrine Wines is a family-owned Central Otago producer known for precision viticulture and site-driven winemaking. With vineyards in some of the region’s most elevated and expressive sub-regions, Peregrine focuses on low yields, careful hand selection and minimal intervention winemaking to highlight purity of fruit and sense of place.

The “Pinnacle” range represents the estate’s highest expression — wines selected only from exceptional parcels in outstanding vintages.

Vintage Overview – 2022

The 2022 Central Otago growing season delivered balanced conditions with a long, steady ripening period. This allowed Pinot Noir fruit to develop full phenolic ripeness while retaining freshness and natural acidity. The result is a vintage defined by structure, clarity and ageing potential.

Drinking Window

Approachable with decanting in its youth, but best enjoyed from 2025 onwards. This wine will continue to evolve and gain savoury complexity through 2032–2035.

Technical Details

• Producer: Peregrine Wines
• Wine: Pinnacle Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2022
• Region: Central Otago, New Zealand
• Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: Approx. 13–14% (typical for vintage; confirm label)
• Vinification: Hand-harvested fruit, small-batch fermentation, French oak maturation
• Closure: Screwcap
• Cellaring Potential: 8–12 years

If You Like…

If you enjoy structured, savoury Pinot Noir from producers such as Felton Road, Burn Cottage, or Mount Difficulty’s single-vineyard bottlings, Peregrine Pinnacle offers a similarly serious and age-worthy expression with a slightly darker, more brooding fruit profile.

Perfect For

• Cellaring Pinot Noir collectors
• Special occasion dinners
• Fine dining at home
• Fans of structured, Burgundy-leaning New Zealand Pinot Noir

Why Buy This Wine?

Peregrine Pinnacle Pinot Noir 2022 is a limited-production, top-tier Central Otago Pinot Noir that prioritises structure, purity and ageing potential over immediate fruit-forward charm. It is a wine for those who value detail, restraint and complexity — and one that rewards patience both in the glass and in the cellar.