A Pinot Noir from Martinborough, made by this excellent Hawke’s Bay label – always characterful wines at great value – check out the Testify and Giunta ranges by the same maker – Daniel Brennan.
A brooding, bloody burgundy colour in the glass. Intensely aromatic, with damson plum, mandarin peel, black cherry, cloves, sarsparilla, star anise and rose petals on the nose. The palate is drenched in sweet fruit, framed with smooth, fine tannin and charred oak that adds density and underpins the spicy core. A granite and mineral note adds another layer, and then there’s more roasted spice and a root beer/cola flavour that gives more complexity and length to the palate. Well balanced and quite elegant, it lingers long on the finish – great drinking now but I’d leave this alone for another five years to evolve further. 94pts
