Block 3 Pinot Noir, Felton Road 2012

Medium ruby-purple-colored, the 2012 Block 3 Pinot Noir is a little closed at this youthful moment yet reveals subtle notes of mulberries and black cherries with underlying suggestions of damp earth, aniseed, cloves and cedar. Medium-bodied and very taut at this stage, it delivers a great intensity of fruit while remaining elegantly styled by a lively acid backbone and low to medium level of fine tannins. It finishes with great length. Drink it 2015 to 2022+.

The boldness of this wine is always impressive and yet it seems to posses an amazing ability to seduce with flamboyant, undeniably delicious fruit. There is a deep and pure core of cherry fruit on the nose that is cloaked in plenty of dark hard brown spice, some cola and wild herbs too. The palate has depth, breadth and drive, really muscular and yet these long, noble tannins allow just enough soft fleshy fruit to emerge to make this wine almost irresistibly drinkable. The acidity brings juicy freshness to the finish, sappy and full of life, it trails a long and steady path, this is thrilling stuff.