2014 Marlborough Pinot Noir

Light blueish crimson. Light nose with some delicacy and lift. Very subtle. Fragrant rather than a whack of ripe fruit. Marked but well-integrated acidity. (JR)

Bright blueish crimson. One of the more restrained noses. Lots of whole bunch. Quite intense and directed with a purposeful line running through it. I'm not as blown away by this as Julia was but can see that it is quite different from the run of the mill Marlborough Pinots. Very confident and bright-fruited. Not really ready to drink. Good nerve. (JR)

Mid crimson. Perfumed, highly aromatic red fruit brought into line with a touch of spice and a hint of that whole-bunch freshness - not in the least unripe but adding a savoury note. This is just gorgeous on the palate, sensual, deep and long but also fresh and vital. There's finesse to the tannins but they are bold enough to shape the framework for the fruit. You can tell this is a wine made by someone steeped in the best of both Burgundy and New Zealand. There's sweetness to the fruit but sufficient savour and spice to make it a complete wine, with, as Jancis would say, a beginning, a middle and an end. And it has terrific length. This has to be the best Marlborough Pinot I have tasted.