| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Canterbury |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Having made no Earth Smoke in 2021 due to spring frosts and cool flowering ravaging the yield, it's a welcome return in 2022. Translucent, pure and delicately textured, this Pinot Noir shows a fine hand and the confidence to be hands off. The wine is calm; in the mouth, it gives the impression that a hush has descended. It is attractively scented - full of dried herbs, cherry, festive spice, violets and a hint of smoke. There's plentiful concentration without weight. The tannins are pliant, providing the finest coating for your palate. Perhaps not as long as it could be, but I'm really nitpicking here. 2025-2033
Again in contrast to Angel flower, the Earth Smoke lives ups to its name - a little darker in colour, and a more smoky on the nose. Red and black cherries come through with notes of iron, struck flint and a vosne-like peppery spice. Teh palate is chalky, spicy and layered, more brooding and dense with a structure built to last. This is a driven, serious Pinot that warrants a year or two in bottle.
This has a powerful nose, a little reductive and smoky, with exotic spices and dark fruits – black cherry, five spice, dark cocoa, earth and bay leaf, orange peel – and red fruited highlights. A sweet-fruited supple core, very plush and velvety, and quite four-square structured tannins. Very long and layered, plenty of harmony and confidence. The two flagship Pyramid Valley wines provide such a contrasting pair, it’s hard to believe the closeness of the blocks on this tiny biodynamically-farmed vineyard. Earth Smoke is the 0.8ha east-facing block, on limestone-clay (and a name for the herbaceous poppy Fumaria). 2024-2032
Botanicals collection. Waikari vineyard. Cask sample.
Pale garnet. Great fruit concentration well handled. Full of zest and life with great judgement regarding extraction. Tannin/acid/fruit balance just right! Peppery note. (JR)
