From Waiau in North Canterbury – on the limestone hills inland from Waipara. The ferment starts in the vineyard itself, cementing a sense of place in the wine in your glass. A dense purple colour, with vibrant aromas of red cherry, cranberry, rosehip, thyme, forest floor, boysenberry, pepper and wisteria on the nose. A lighter-bodied style, supple and silken. Crisp acidity and chalky tannin form the spine, with a distinctive savoury element woven into the palate, where flavours of terracotta, peat, middle eastern spices and orange peel combine elegantly. The finish returns to plush fruit, sweetening and lengthening. 93pts