“This is a serious Pinot Noir, and I sort of wish that I’d tasted it blind. There’s a touch of coffee, spice and woodsmoke on the nose supporting aromatic black cherries and blackberries. The palate has a lovely sleek cherry fruit core with a smooth, sweetly fruited mid-palate, and then finishes taut and focused, with some spicy framing. This is glossy, pure, alluring and fully ripe. Where would I place it, tasted blind? Probably Central Otago, as there’s freshness but also a dark fruit core. Perhaps the lively acid line on the finish gives its origin away, but I’m really impressed.”