2022 Earth Smoke Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Earth Smoke Pinot Noir is gently reductive and a little gamey on the nose, with roasted beets, tarragon, dried mint and star anise/fennel. In the mouth, the wine makes quiet and impact, and it lands with cherry and goji berry, allspice and crushed rocks/cold tea. It's attractive, shapely and very fine. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
More reviews and scores
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)
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.