2019 Angel Flower Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Botanicals collection. Waikari vineyard. Slightly dull ruby but very transparent. Rather beguiling mushroom perfume. Round with the perfume of violets. Junior La Tâche?! Long. (JR)
Critic scores
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Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Pinot Noir Angel Flower is gorgeous in its seamless texture and sense of ease. This is a Pinot that will make you sigh in satisfaction and relax your tense shoulders. There are herbal notes, orange skin, cranberry fruit and paprika-smoked charcuterie in this fresh, aromatic expression, and excellent concentration thanks to the naturally low yields. The tannins coat the palate with a fine chalky texture, providing a sense of structure on the long, fragrant finish. Note that the Angel Flower typically has a slightly higher pH than the winery's other Pinot Noirs, so you should expect it to be the least clear in terms of clarity of appearance. Unadulterated, site-driven Pinot Noir.
Full bottle 1,429 g. Certified Demeter biodynamic. Angel Flower is a cooler, more exposed block than Earth Smoke. Shallow soils, north-facing aspect. Their explanation of the name of the wine is as follows: 'Angel Flower is the prettiest of many synonyms for yarrow; a grassland and pasture plant with delicate, fennel-like leaves and a brilliant mass of white flowers. Yarrow is the basis of the biodynamic preparation 502 and is strongly associated with mobilising natural sulphur and potassium in the soil.' Destemmed, spontaneous fermentation. Purple-red earthy nose that smells like roasted beetroot and hibiscus tea and dried porcini mushrooms. There is a curve of red cherry on the palate, dusted with cinnamon and fine-powdered earth. The sweet soil-pomegranate-black-fig-squashed-on-a-stone-wall flavour of beetroot forms this lovely twisted-vine-limb framework within which the quiet breath of this gentle wine draws and expands. The tannins feel like sifted spice and wholewheat flour, a flecked, nut-savoury, wholesome texture. There's a sweetness to the soul of this wine – like a child climbing into your lap and whispering secrets in your ear. (TC)